ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – Juries found Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo guilty Friday of murdering 72-year-old Hussein Murray in his Rochester Hills home.
Jurors reached the verdict after deliberating for a short time following three days of testimony.
The trial began nearly a year after Murray was killed Oct. 11, 2024. Witness testimony started Wednesday, Oct. 1, and wrapped up Friday, Oct. 3.
Nineteen witnesses testified before both defendants declined to take the stand. The defense rested, closing arguments were delivered and the jury began deliberating.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 9.
Background
The two men were charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. The two allegedly disguised themselves as DTE workers to gain entry to Murray’s home on Oct. 11, 2024.
Murray owned a jewelry store in Hamtramck. During the attack, his wife was present and tied up with duct tape while Murray was killed in the basement.
The woman managed to 911 after freeing herself and when Oakland County sheriff’s deputies arrived, she told them she believed her husband may have been kidnapped. While searching the home, deputies found Murray’s body in the basement.
Hernandez was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office said Hernandez was spotted traveling south on I-49 from Arkansas. Investigators pulled him over and took him into custody.
He was extradited from Louisiana and taken to the Oakland County Jail on Oct. 24, 2024.
After Hernandez was arrested, his wife reportedly told investigators the other suspect was Zuazo, who was then located by law enforcement in Plymouth Township and arrested on Oct. 14, 2024.
Day 1 summary
On the first day, Kristin Nahass, a neighbor, described a suspicious white pickup truck with DTE decals near the victim’s home, while Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy TasRay Copeland recounted being the first officer to arrive and finding the victim’s wife bound and Murray’s body in the basement.
Forensic investigator Valerie Mayra detailed the crime scene, including the use of duct tape and zip ties, while other witnesses connected the suspects, Hernandez and Zuazo, to the crime through vehicle sightings and purchases of incriminating items.
Linda Murray, the wife of Hussein Murray, testified that Hernandez came to the house the night before and claimed to be investigating a gas leak, but left after Linda loudly mentioned her husband’s gun. The following day, both men returned, and once inside, Hernandez demanded jewelry and money, while Zuazo followed Hussein to the basement. Linda was assaulted, bound with duct tape, and said she saw Zuazo carrying away items from her jewelry box.
---> Day 1 of testimonies in trial for men accused of posing as DTE workers, killing Rochester Hills man
Day 2 summary
On the second day, testimonies continued from multiple people, including Detective David Pachmayer, who identified a burning vehicle linked to the crime and provided evidence of purchases made by the suspects. Eric Hill and Martez Dixon described the suspicious circumstances and investigation of the burning truck.
Lt. Det. Casey Jones testified about Carlos Hernandez’s arrest, during which incriminating items were found. Forensic analyst Siera Ramirez detailed DNA evidence linking Hernandez and Zuazo to the crime.
Witnesses like Gerardo Saucedo and Danielle Diaz identified Hernandez in surveillance footage, while Jesse Haglund and Wendell Smith provided insights into the investigation and Hernandez’s interactions with law enforcement.
---> Day 2 of testimonies in trial for men accused of posing as DTE workers, killing Rochester Hills man
Day 3 testimonies:
Witness #17: Wendell Smith
Friday’s testimonies began with the cross-examination of Oakland County Sheriff’s Detective Wendell Smith.
On Thursday, Smith testified about traveling to Louisiana to recover evidence and interview Hernandez. Video of the interview was played for the court, showing Hernandez’s attempt to negotiate a deal through a prosecutor, claiming his wife was unaware of his actions. He refused to explain his involvement, suggesting he faces life imprisonment for a crime he denies committing.
Friday, the defense asked if Hernandez showed any potential injuries on him when he was interviewed. Smith said that he did not.
Witness #18: Dr. Shauna Bryan
The second witness to speak Friday was Dr. Shauna Bryan, deputy chief medical examiner for Oakland County. She performed the autopsy on Hussein Murray.
Bryan recalled that Murray’s hands and legs were bound with duct tape and zip ties. His body arrived with an empty gun holster and was missing a left shoe.
No cuts or defensive injuries were identified on his fingertips or hands.
She said Murray had bruises and cuts on his face, neck, scalp, and body. His jaw was “broken into multiple pieces,” consistent with blunt force trauma.
“Basically, his entire face had bruises and tears,” Bryan said.
A bone in his throat was broken in two places, which Bryan said is rare and requires significant force.
While Murray was severely beaten, Bryan ruled the cause of death as neck compression. The manner of death was homicide.
She said nothing about the injuries suggested they could only be caused by one person, nor did it exclude the involvement of multiple people.
A significant amount of blood was found in Murray’s lungs, contributing to asphyxiation. However, the primary cause of death was sustained pressure on his neck.
Bryan confirmed Murray was alive when his neck was compressed.
When asked if some injuries could have resulted from a fall, she said it was possible, but none of those injuries alone were life-threatening.
The defense noted Murray had heart disease, which Bryan said would not impact the outcome of asphyxiation.
Witness #19: Jordan Conley
The next person to testify was Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jordan Conley.
He was assigned to be the officer in charge of the murder.
He explained that the Computer Crimes Unit extracted data from suspect Zuazo’s phone after his arrest.
Conley said the phone contained text messages between Zuazo and Hernandez that showed planning and logistics for the crime.
On Sept. 20, 2024, the messages showed planning logistics, including phrases like “we need a car,” “let me call the lot,” “no luck yet,” and “we may have to get one.”
Between October 9 and 10, 2024, several messages were exchanged to arrange times and confirm readiness.
Between 4:35 and 4:58 p.m. on Oct. 10, a photo of a “waiver of damages” or property release form was sent. Conley testified the image matched the paperwork found during a police search of where Hernandez and his wife were staying in Michigan.
Later that evening, around 11:05 to 11:20 p.m., messages included coordination about meeting the next morning, the day Murray was killed.
Related: ‘If things get sketchy, GTFO’: Texts between fake DTE workers, wife shown during murder trial
Data extracted from Hernandez’s wife Amanda’s phone suggested she may have been involved.
At one point, she texted, “I know u not gunna take a actual dte car.”
Text messages between the two discussed fake IDs and badges, the acquisition of a truck later reported stolen and found burned, and instructions to remove trackers and avoid cameras.
“Im so nervous but u guys seem to have it down and I feel better now that u have a good get away car,” she sent in late September, around when the truck was stolen. “I still am really nervous tho.”
The texts also covered logistics and supplies. Hernandez mentioned making pages and badges, while Amanda looked at custom ID badge options before reportedly making some for him and Zuazo.
They talked about being behind on rent, short on money, and hoping to get enough to buy a house.
Amanda advised Hernandez to turn off his phone “when you get there,” wear a mask, avoid cameras, and leave quickly if something felt wrong.
On the afternoon of the murder, she sent him a link to a news story about the crime. They immediately discussed leaving, lacking money, avoiding cameras, and trying to get Hernandez out as fast as they can.
The defense argued that none of the text messages mentioned murder or weapons, but appeared to be about larceny.
After Conley’s testimony, the defense rested.
Closing statements
The prosecutor asserted that Hernandez and Zuazo planned and executed a larceny during which Murray was killed, leading to the first-degree felony murder charge.
The legal theory emphasized that premeditation was unnecessary since the death occurred during the intended larceny.
The prosecution argued that the killing of Hussein Murray was the result of a premeditated theft, evidenced by prior communications between the defendants about a “big score” and plans involving a car.
He said the defendants purchased materials such as duct tape, zip ties, and disguises, and were seen on surveillance buying these items. Murray was found restrained with materials matching those bought by the defendants, and Mrs. Murray testified to witnessing Hernandez and the other defendant at the scene, linking them to the crime through physical and forensic evidence.
Zuazo’s defense attorney argued that the prosecution has not conclusively identified Zuazo as the second person involved in the crime. He emphasized that Hernandez and his wife had planned the crime.
He said it was more likely that Hernandez killed Murray because Hernandez is larger than Zuazo, making it easier for him to commit the act.
The attorney pointed out that Hernandez was the man with the clipboard and the one at the front door. Additionally, the DTE cutouts allegedly made by his wife were found at the Lincoln Park home.
No evidence was recovered at Zuazo’s home, the defense said. He argued there is no reasonable doubt that Hernandez was involved.
Zuazo did not leave town and was arrested at work, which the defense said are not the actions of a guilty man.
“He didn’t do anything, he’s got nothing to run from,” the attorney said.
Hernandez’s defense argued that the two were only in the home for less than 20 minutes. Police did not enter the basement until 12:08 and did not check for a pulse until five minutes later.
The first officer on the scene believed Murray was shot in the head and killed, but he was not shot. The defense argued Murray was still alive at the time and that it took 30 minutes after the 911 call before anyone attempted aid.
They noted that Mrs. Murray had no blood on her after Hernandez bound her, stating that if Hernandez had killed her husband, he would have had blood on him. However, Zuazo was the only person witnessed with blood on him.
The defense pointed out that blood was found upstairs and that Zuazo was the only person who went upstairs.
They also highlighted that Zuazo had threatened to kill his former boss when he was fired from his job.
The defense argued that if Hernandez had assaulted and killed Murray, he would have stolen Murray’s Rolex.
Zuazo did not speak to the police, while Hernandez did speak with the police after his arrest.
Murray’s body was found in a confined space that the defense argued Hernandez could not fit inside.