(NewsNation) — The trial of Rachel Morin’s alleged killer has brought disturbing new information to light, an attorney for the family told NewsNation, including details about his behavior after her death.
The Maryland mother of five was killed while jogging on a popular trail. Early in the investigation, police connected the suspect in the case to crimes in Los Angeles, including the assault of a woman and a 9-year-old girl.
It took months for the suspect, who had reportedly been seen on video in connection with the Los Angeles crime, to be located and arrested.
Alleged killer Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez entered the U.S. illegally from his native El Salvador, where he was accused of killing a woman in December of 2022.
Randolph Rice, attorney for Morin’s family, said the trial has brought disturbing information to light, including the fact that searchers looking for Morin followed a trail of blood 150 feet long to find her body.
Hernandez allegedly searched for Morin online after the crime, watching YouTube videos about her death.
“Why would he be selecting or searching these things on Google?” Rice asked. “He really had no contact or no connection with her.”
Other evidence brought up at trial includes DNA evidence indicating that Morin was raped. That DNA links Hernandez to the crime, prosecutors say.
The defense appears to be trying to suggest that Morin’s boyfriend could have been involved, pointing to her smashed phone and suggesting it was evidence of a crime of passion.
Rice said the attempt is likely to fall flat based on a lack of supporting evidence.
“There was no DNA left behind from the boyfriend, who she’d been with earlier that day,” he said.