A Detroit double-murder case abruptly collapsed in court yesterday when a judge dismissed the charges against 35-year-old Muhammad Murphy after a key witness failed to appear. The move left one victim’s family in disbelief, even as prosecutors stressed they could still bring the case back.
The charges stem from the March 11, 2025, discovery of two bodies in the basement of a home on the 8700 block of DeSoto Street in Detroit. Authorities later determined both deaths were caused by blunt-force trauma and reported that one victim was found inside a plastic container filled with an unknown liquid.
Charges and alleged crime
According to a press release from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s team charged Murphy on Jan. 30 with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the deaths of 60-year-old Dwayne Pinkston and 68-year-old Barbara Jackson. Investigators, as described in that release, allege Murphy struck Pinkston multiple times with a hammer and a crowbar and struck Jackson with a crowbar. The Wayne County Medical Examiner ruled both deaths blunt-force trauma. The prosecutor’s office also states that Murphy was identified and arrested in Ypsilanti on Jan. 27 and then remanded to jail ahead of court proceedings.
Judge's ruling and family reaction
The case was tossed after a key witness did not show up in court, a turn of events that left relatives in the gallery reeling. Pinkston’s family, who were in court on Tuesday, described the dismissal as devastating. "It was shocking because they just threw it out," a family member told FOX 2 Detroit.
Legal next steps
Prosecutors told FOX 2 Detroit they still have the option to re-file the murder counts, although Michigan rules and case law make that move complicated. Under Michigan court rule MCR 6.110(F) and decisions such as People v. Dunbar, discussed by Justia, dismissals at the preliminary-examination stage are often treated as without prejudice, which means charges can be renewed. At the same time, courts have warned that refiling may violate due process if it appears to be harassment or judge-shopping. Any attempt to re-file would likely depend on whether prosecutors can present new or additional evidence or secure cooperation from that key witness.
Where things stand
For the families of Pinkston and Jackson, the immediate question is whether the prosecutor’s office can pull together additional testimony or evidence that would bring the case back before a judge. The Wayne County press release outlines the office’s account of the alleged killings and the timeline of the investigation, which prosecutors say they will review before deciding whether to re-file the charges.
