Jury Pool In Martinez-Hernandez Murder Trial Whittled Down From 400 People To 124

BEL AIR, MD — Jury selection started Tuesday in the murder trial of Victor Martinez-Hernandez in the death of Rachel Morin, with 124 potential jurors reporting for duty out of a 400-member potential jury pool.

Out of those jurors, 78 said they had "strong feelings regarding the allegations in this case," while 27 said they had strong feelings about viewing graphic photographs of the crime scene, the victim and the victim's injuries, according to WBAL. Twenty-nine people said they had compelling personal reasons that make it impossible to serve on a trial slated to last 12 business days, ending around April 16. The first day of jury selection wrapped up around 7:45 p.m.

Fox 45 News noted that jury selection will continue this week with the judge hoping to have jurors seated by Friday. Groups of 120-130 potential jurors are to report each day Tuesday through Thursday.

“We have gotten to a really good number,” Harford County Circuit Judge Yolanda L. Curtin said to the 65 potential jurors who remained at the end of Tuesday, as reported by The Baltimore Banner.

The body of 37-year-old mom of five Rachel Morin was found along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air in August 2023, several days after she was reported missing. She frequently jogged the trail near where she was found raped and beaten to death. Officials have said Martinez-Hernandez, 24, of El Salvador, entered the United States as an undocumented immigrant and is the defendant in the case. Martinez-Hernandez also has been linked by DNA to a home invasion and sexual assault in southern California of a 9-year-old girl and her mother.

Not all media outlets were able to sit in on proceedings, however. Even though they were open to the public, the courtroom was filled to capacity. Nick Cavey, spokesperson for the Maryland Judiciary, released a statement that stated they are working with the Circuit Court for Harford County to designate a space that would accommodate media representatives.

Morin's family has vowed to be present every day of the trial.

During the final pretrial hearing in the Rachel Morin murder case Monday, attorneys for Martinez-Hernandez argued again that he could not receive a fair trial in Harford County, which the trial judge denied. Martinez-Hernandez's defense team argued that the pretrial publicity is so intense he can't get a fair trial, and suggested sequestering the jury for the duration of the trial, which the judge rejected, according to FOX Baltimore.

A Harford County judge also denied a change of venue requested last month by Martinez-Hernandez. A plea offered by the prosecution also was rejected.

The Bel Air Police Department also has enhanced security around the courthouse for the trial. Courtland Street and Office Street between Bond and Main streets will be closed to vehicle traffic. Local businesses will not be impacted and will still be accessible to customers, the police department said. Road closures will be in effect only during courthouse hours.

Related:

• Rachel Morin Murder Suspect's Trial To Begin Jury Selection
• Rachel Morin Murder Trial Calls For Road Closures, Increased Security In Bel Air
• Rachel Morin Case: Judge Rules On Moving Trial Out Of Harford County
• Rachel Morin Murder Case Has Hearing Bumped, Trial Starts In April 2025
• Rachel Morin's Daughter Sues Grandmother Over GoFundMe Proceeds
• Rachel Morin Case: Harford County Prosecutor Seeks Life Sentence Without Parole
• Clue Uncovered On Rachel Morin's Birthday Led To Suspect, Arrest
• Murder Charge Filed In MD Mom Rachel Morin's Death
• Suspect In Rachel Morin Killing Hid In MD For Months During Investigation: Court Documents
• Rachel Morin Family Asks For Worldwide Prayers For Justice
• Rachel Morin's Family Mourns Loss Of 'Bright, Beautiful Spark'