The trial of Victor Martinez-Hernandez, who is charged with the rape and murder of Rachel Morin, reached its eighth day on Friday.
To kick off the trial, Chief Detective of Harford County, Phil Golden, was called to testify.
During the court proceedings, a recording was shown featuring Golden interrogating Martinez-Hernandez via a Spanish translator. The footage depicts Martinez-Hernandez dressed in a striped prison jumpsuit.
In that interview, Martinez-Hernandez first claimed he had never been to Maryland or met Rachel Morin.
When questioned by Golden about whether there was any possibility he was in the state without being aware of it, Martinez-Hernandez reaffirmed his denial.
During that part of the interview, Golden shares an image captured by Martinez-Hernandez along with his cousin, Tania Hernandez, sometime during the holiday season.
On Thursday, Tania provided testimony stating that her cousin remained at their house in Alexandria, Virginia, with her and her spouse.
During the interview video featuring Golden, Martinez-Hernandez initially tries to claim he knows nothing about the photograph. However, he later acknowledges that it is indeed a picture of himself.
When Golden questions Martinez-Hernandez about finding his DNA at the crime scene, the suspect proposes that another individual could have tampered with the evidence.
"Nobody has the same DNA as another person," Golden can be heard saying to the suspect during the interview footage.
"Ignorant of how it ended up there, he reasoned that if anyone harbored ill will towards him, they might have obtained his DNA and placed it intentionally," Golden recounted in his testimony on Friday.
It is still uncertain what DNA evidence was discovered and where it was found.
To challenge Martinez-Hernandez’s account without disclosing the location of the DNA evidence, the prosecution queried Golden with, “Could the type of DNA have potentially been transferred?”
"I suppose it could be true," Golden stated under oath.
"Were you referring to an item that might have been misplaced?" the prosecutor questioned.
"No," Golden replied.
As the interrogation video went on, Golden queried Martinez-Hernandez about whether he had ever hurt a woman or committed murder, to which he replied in the negative.
“I have not committed any wrongdoing,” Martinez-Hernandez stated.
The video proceeds with Golden inquiring about Martinez-Hernandez's cousin, Jose Hernandez, who stated on Thursday that they resided together at his residence in Temple Hills for approximately five months. Before Victor departed suddenly in May 2024.
Martinez-Hernandez informed Golden that he did not reach out to his cousin and has never visited his house.
Martinez-Hernandez verified his location in Oklahoma, a lead that investigators followed.
On Friday, the defense pointed out that several individuals were residing in the house in Tulsa, which raises doubts about whether the belongings retrieved from a backpack in the residence actually belonged to Martinez-Hernandez. AID card bearing his name was discovered within the bag.
Moreover, the defense pointed out that Martinez-Hernandez appeared " calm" and " not nervous" throughout the investigation, a observation with which Golden concurred.
When the prosecution questioned Golden about whether Martinez-Hernandez seemed more anxious at certain points, he responded, “Yes, particularly when we talked about DNA and when we brought up his family members and whether he had been in Maryland.”
Golden mentions that the anxious body language he noticed involved swaying, folding arms, and Martinez-Hernandez retracting into himself.
It is anticipated that the trial will continue for at least an additional week following the presentation of disturbing evidence during the initial days of the hearing.
The narrative of this piece will be expanded upon later.
RACHEL MORIN MURDER TRIAL COVERAGE
Photos: Clues Presented to Jury in Rachel Morin Murder Trial
April 10 - Cousins and ex-colleagues state that Martinez-Hernandez had been in Maryland for several months.
April 9 - Juror excused in Rachel Morin murder case as proceedings go on
April 8 - Medical examiner testimony: Rachel Morin likely strangled, struck in the head
April 7 - Witnesses keep testifying in the Morin murder case against Victor Martinez Hernandez
April 4 - "The worst fear of every mother" | Opening remarks presented at the start of the Rachel Morin murder case
April 2 - Jury convened for the Martinez-Hernandez murder case
