Rachel Morin Homicide Suspect Extradited, Bail Review Hearing Set

BEL AIR, MD — The suspect in the Rachel Morin homicide case will appear in a bail review hearing Friday at 1 p.m.

Victor Martinez Hernandez, 23, was arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 14, on unrelated charges. He was extradited from Oklahoma to Maryland Thursday and booked into the Harford County Detention Center. The bail hearing will be conducted via Zoom with Hernandez participating in the proceedings from the detention center.

Morin, 37, whose body was found along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air in August 2023, was a mother of five. She frequently jogged the trail near where she was found raped and beaten to death. The suspect in her death, Hernandez, is from El Salvador, and has been charged with first-degree rape and first-degree murder in Morin's death. He 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. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said at a news conference following the suspect's arrest that he's also a suspect in the homicide of a young woman in El Salvador in July 2023, one month before Morin's death.

Related:
Clue Uncovered On Rachel Morin's Birthday Led To Suspect, Arrest

Murder Charge Filed In MD Mom Rachel Morin's Death

Randolph Rice, an attorney with Rice, Murtha, Psoras representing Morin's mother, Patty Morin, said that on Friday, "Under Maryland bail review standards, a judge evaluates numerous factors to determine if a defendant should be held or released pending trial. In the Rachel Morin murder investigation, the judge will consider recommendations from pretrial release services, the severity of the offense and the evidence against the defendant.

"The judge will also assess the defendant’s prior court appearances, family ties, employment status and community ties. Additionally, the judge will examine any safety concerns for the alleged victim, recommendations from the State’s Attorney and the potential danger the defendant poses to the community. These factors collectively help ensure a balanced decision regarding the defendant's pretrial status," Rice added.

Rice said he will be in attendance at the bail review hearing with Rachel Morin's family. It is anticipated that the state's attorney's office will request that Hernandez be held without bond pending trial.

WBFF obtained court records that showed Hernandez had been renting a brick home in the 8100 block of East 15th Street in Tulsa, located not far from several schools, churches and an airport. A search warrant showed that investigators found a laptop, sketchbook and El Salvador driver's registration in the suspect's home, along with bus tickets and a metro card.

Related:

• Signs Announcing Arrest In Rachel Morin Case Posted At Ma And Pa Trail: HCSO
• Rachel Morin: Former Partner Scours Woods For Clues, Hunts For Killer In Bel Air
• MD Mom's Homicide: Daughter Confident Harford Detectives Will Find Killer
• Rachel Morin's Family Releases Video Pleading For Help In Solving Her Homicide
• Hunt Continues For Rachel Morin Murder Suspect, Labeled Serial Killer
• Rachel Morin Case: 'We Haven't Given Up Hope' Sheriff Says Of Manhunt
• Rachel Morin Slaying: Suspect Search Turns To Los Angeles
• Rachel Morin Homicide Suspect Hunt Continues In 2024
• Rachel Morin Headstone Unveiled By Family As Hunt For Suspect Goes On
• Rachel Morin Family Asks For Worldwide Prayers For Justice
• Digital Ad Campaign Launched To Help Find Rachel Morin's Killer
• Profiler Helping With Rachel Morin Case, No Suspect Arrested Yet
• Rachel Morin's Family Mourns Loss Of 'Bright, Beautiful Spark'
• Rachel Morin Killer Might Strike Again, $10K Reward Offered: Sheriff
• Rachel Morin Reward Fund Rises As Homicide Suspect Remains At Large
• Suspect Sketch, New Details Released In Rachel Morin Homicide
• Women Attacked On Park Trails In Howard, Frederick Counties: Police
• 5 Potential Witnesses Contacted In Mom Rachel Morin's Death: Sheriff
• Photos, Videos Sought From Site Where Rachel Morin's Body Was Found