The undocumented immigrant accused of killing Rachel Morin is expected to argue for a change of venue Friday.

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, 23, faces first-degree murder and rape charges. Law enforcement claims his DNA was found on Morin’s body, which had been brutalized and stashed in a storm drain along a Bel Air walking trail.

In a court filing, the defense argued the local jury pool had been poisoned with “numerous inflammatory and prejudicial” media reports, making it impossible for Martinez-Hernandez to receive a fair trial in Harford County.

The defendant’s immigration status has sparked a flurry of nationwide media attention. Morin’s mother campaigned with President Donald Trump and testified in front of Congress, while Morin’s brother spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

“This has not been a local issue. This has been a national issue,” attorney Yuripzy Morgan said.

Morgan said the widespread coverage could defeat the purpose of a venue change.

“I don’t know that it would have any different impact on a local Harford County jury than it would say a jury in Anne Arundel County,” she said.

The prosecution also called the request a delay tactic, arguing it was made after a seven-month trial postponement for the defense to review evidence — a strategy Morgan said may have backfired.

“They might have, actually, not helped their client by delaying, now that this has become a national topic. The argument that it’s just the jurors in Harford County that could be more biased, I think, becomes a little bit more difficult,” she said.

Either way, Morgan said in a case as crucial as this, no judge will want to leave room for error or appeals.

“So, if that means that moving a trial like this into a jurisdiction where this argument cannot later be made on appeal, then it may ultimately be the best thing in order to get justice for this victim,” she said.

The hearing is scheduled for Friday morning at the Harford County Courthouse.

Have a news tip? Contact reporter Rebecca Pryor at rkpryor@sbgtv.com.