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The mother of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant, shared her anguish on Wednesday at the White House. This comes shortly after a jury in Harford County found her daughter’s killer guilty of heinous crimes.
Patty Morin’s emotional appearance escalates concerns about immigration policies, especially when juxtaposed with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen’s visit to El Salvador on the same day. Van Hollen is reportedly assessing the situation of a deported Maryland resident linked to the notorious MS-13 gang.
At a press conference, Patty Morin expressed her disbelief and sorrow. She questioned why her senator prioritized a non-citizen over the memory of her daughter, who tragically left behind five children. Morin stated, “To have a senator from Maryland who didn’t even acknowledge, or barely acknowledge, my daughter and the brutal death that she endured… so that he can use my taxpayer money to fly to El Salvador… Why does that person have more right than I do, or my daughter or my grandchildren?”
Senator Van Hollen’s office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the mother’s poignant statements. However, his recent public remarks suggest a dual commitment to border security and supporting immigrant communities following the conviction of Victor Martinez-Hernandez.
A jury recently convicted Martinez-Hernandez, a Salvadoran national, of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, third-degree sexual offenses, and kidnapping in connection with Rachel Morin’s death. This horrifying crime took place in August 2023 along the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air, a location the Morin family had frequented for over 25 years.
Patty Morin’s heart-wrenching testimony detailed the horrific circumstances surrounding her daughter’s attack. She said, “When she went on that trail that day, she was not planning on dying. She wasn’t planning on walking to her death.” She recounted how Martinez-Hernandez attacked Rachel, dragging her away while she suffered severe injuries.
Morin disclosed graphic details about the murder in her press address. She indicated that photos revealing the brutality of the assault have been sealed due to their graphic nature. The images, according to her, depict a body ravaged by violence.
“You could see where the blood ran down around her as he was raping her, and then he threw her down, and raped her some more, and then he strangled her because he didn’t want her to be able to live to tell the story,” she added, emphasizing the brutality of this tragic incident.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Martinez-Hernandez showed no sign of remorse during the trial. This lack of empathy only fueled Patty Morin’s resolve to seek justice for her daughter.
Patty Morin has become a fervent advocate for victims’ rights, insisting that the government must take action against criminals who pose a danger to society. She stated, “These are the kind of criminals President Trump wants to remove from our country. We are American citizens. Why should we allow people like this, violent criminals that have no conscience at all to murder our mothers, our sisters, our daughters?” Her fight highlights broader issues surrounding immigration reform and public safety.
As Patty Morin battled the aftermath of her daughter’s murder, Senator Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident deported under contentious circumstances. The Justice Department admitted to an administrative error in Garcia’s deportation, a point Van Hollen is now advocating to rectify.
Although the senator met with El Salvador’s Vice President, he was unable to visit Garcia at the prison known as the “Terrorism Confinement Center.” After being denied access, Van Hollen pledged to continue pursuing the issue.
As the Maryland community mourns Rachel Morin, Patty Morin’s statements serve as a call to action. She urges individuals and policymakers to confront the complexities of immigration reform while advocating for victims’ rights. The tragic story has resonated widely, igniting discussions about safety and justice in both local and national contexts.
In light of this devastating case, it becomes evident that the issue extends far beyond one family’s grief. It raises important questions about how society values its citizens and the actions necessary to ensure their safety.
The road ahead may be filled with challenges, but Patty Morin’s resolve to seek justice and advocate for change underscores the need for action. Her voice is a powerful reminder that the tragedies faced by families due to violent crime demand attention, empathy, and most importantly, action from leaders.