The trial of two men accused of killing a 72-year-old Rochester Hills jeweler began this week after they allegedly posed as DTE Energy workers to enter the victim’s home. Carlos Hernandez, 37, and Joshua Zuazo, 39, are charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment in connection with the October 2024 incident. The trial started with jury selection, which is expected to take two days, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Hernandez and Zuazo have been charged with the murder of Hussein Murray, with Hernandez arrested in Louisiana and Zuazo taken into custody in Plymouth Township shortly after the incident. During the preliminary hearings, the victim’s wife, Linda Murray, testified that she was tied with duct tape and questioned about valuables while her husband was attacked in the basement, and she said she repeatedly asked the suspects about her husband but received no answers, as reported by Hoodline. The defense did not present any witnesses during the hearings, and the suspects will now face trial and prepare their defense in court.
At the Oakland County Circuit Court, testimony showed the defendants went to the Murrays’ home claiming to check a gas leak and returned the next day, when Hussein Murray was killed by blunt force trauma and strangulation. Linda Murray said she saw blood on Zuazo after he came from the basement and was attacked when she asked Hernandez about her husband, as mentioned by FOX 2 Detroit. She also said the men searched the house for about 20 minutes after the attack. Judge Laura Polizzi handled motions, including a request from an attorney to withdraw and a motion to dismiss over arraignment delays. The trial began on Monday and is now in the evidentiary phase.
