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Published on December 18, 2024
Two Men Charged with Felony Murder of Rochester Hills Jeweler While Posing as Utility WorkersSource: Google Street View

Two men have been charged with the murder of a 72-year-old Michigan jeweler after allegedly posing as workers from DTE Energy. Carlos Hernandez, 39, and Joshua Zuazo, 39, are accused of gaining entry to the Rochester Hills home of Hussein and Linda Murray under the guise of a gas leak check before the fatal incident occurred. The suspects are facing charges of felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment and have been bound over for trial, as reported by Detroit Free Press.

During the preliminary hearing, Linda Murray, widow of the deceased, recounted the chilling events of the encounter. Hernandez and Zuazo sat in the courtroom next to their attorneys in orange jumpsuits. Linda Murray described how she repeatedly asked where her husband was after the two returned from the basement without him. Hernandez and Zuazo did not present any witnesses in their defense, with their lawyers stating that the circuit court should determine the facts of the case.

The CBS News Detroit provided insight into the medical examiner's findings, which indicated that Hussein Murray suffered neck compression, a broken jaw, and neck bones. The injuries were reported to be consistent with significant, sustained pressure. Detective Wendell Smith from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office shared some details from his interview with Hernandez, during which Hernandez became agitated when questioned about the number of victims and exclaimed, "It wasn't supposed to go down like that."

Queries regarding the identities of the accused and the circumstances of their arraignment were raised in court. While working as a construction laborer during his arrest, Zuazo voiced discomfort with his attorney over the perceived inadequate investigation. In contrast, Hernandez, after his arrest, claimed an unnamed third party supplied the DTE equipment and paperwork. Judge Laura Polizzi decided to deny a request for Michael McCarthy, Zuazo's attorney, to be withdrawn. Also, she declined a motion for dismissal due to arraignment delays, as detailed in the reporting from Detroit Free Press.