ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) — The men accused of posing as DTE Energy workers and making their way into a Rochester Hills businessman’s home before killing him are in court Tuesday afternoon.
During a preliminary hearing for 37-year-old Carlos Hernandez and 39-year-old Joshua Zuazo, both of Dearborn, the widow of Hussein Murray, gave emotional testimony as she recounted the events the day her husband was killed.
Hernandez and Zuazo had a hearing in 52nd District Court Tuesday to determine whether they will stand trial. Both are charged with murder and unlawful imprisonment for the 72-year-old’s death on Oct. 10 at his Rochester Hills home.
The men allegedly dressed as DTE workers and went to Murray’s home on Oct. 10, claiming to be looking for a gas leak and tried to get inside, but they were denied entry. They returned the following day and got inside, ultimately killing Murray in the basement and tying up his wife, Linda Murray, according to authorities.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office previously said the two men displayed a placard on their truck, wore neon vests, and held DTE “paperwork” on a clipboard in order to get into Murray's home.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Linda Murray took the stand, saying the men came up from the basement asking where they could find the safe and the jewelry. Murray, whose husband owned a jewelry store and pawn shop in Hamtramck, told them there was no safe in the home and the jewelry was kept in a safety deposit box at the bank.
“I started asking, where’s my husband, where’s my husband?’ And I didn't get a response. And when Mr. Zuazo came up the stairs, I saw blood on his vest and I started screaming. And Mr. Hernandez hit me in the face,” she said.
She said Hernandez and Zuazo tied her legs and wrists together using black duct tape while they searched the home for valuables.
Others to testify Tuesday included a forensic scientist, an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy and a DNA expert.
A manhunt began on Friday, Oct. 11 following Murray’s alleged murder. Hernandez was found and arrested in Louisiana the following day, while Zuazo was arrested in Dearborn two days later.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!