Assistant prosecutor says death of Hamtramck jeweler in home ‘not random’

• Hussein “Sam” Murray was the previous proprietor of a jewellery store of Hamtramck and a pawn store.
• He was killed nearly a 12 months in the past within the basement of his home in Rochester Hills.
• Two juries have been in Murray’s lifeless within the circumstances in opposition to Carlos Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo.

A public prosecutor in Oakland County stated that the deadly assault on an previous Hamtramck jeweler in his home in Rochester Hills nearly a 12 months in the past by males who was “not random” or coincidence was “not random.

“This was the goal and really nicely deliberate,” Assistant Officer of Justice John Pietrofesa informed a jury of Circuit Court docket County County, who will resolve the destiny of Carlos Hernandez, one of many two males who have been charged in October 2024 homicide of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Pietrofesa informed jury members whereas opening statements on September 30 that Hernandez had been to Murray’s jewellery and pawn store a 12 months earlier and that he returned in February 2024 to choose up these objects. He stated that Hernandez requested to satisfy the proprietor when he was there the final time.

Murray owned Gold & Glitter and Hamtramck Pawn Brokers, the forms of corporations the place, stated Pietrofesa, sporting folks in money and have issues of worth at residence.

Pietrofesa stated jury members that Hernandez Dte indicators ordered to draw a stolen truck utilized in crime – a car that later discovered unoccupied and was on fireplace in Detroit.

County Chief Public Defender Paulette Loftin informed the jury that it has no straightforward job, with disagreeable information, photographs and testimony. However the information and testimonies are essential, she stated, together with the WHO des What and why.

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Loftin stated that whereas Hernandez was one of many folks in the home, “the unlucky loss of life” of Murray “was not a part of the plan” and was by no means a part of the dialogue between him and Codefant Joshua Zuazo. She stated that Hernandez didn’t take part within the beating of Murray and never in one of many way of thinking of the Moederssterse falls wanted for the indictment of crime homicide.

There shall be two juries who hear issues, one for Hernandez, 38, and one other for Zuazo, 40. Each are accused of 1 rely of homicide within the first diploma crime and two counts of unlawful jail.

Jury choice for the Zuazo case occurred on September 29, with opening statements set earlier than 15 October. Jury members have been chosen for the Hernandez case on 30 September, adopted by opening statements.

Pietrofesa informed the jury on 30 September that just about a 12 months in the past Murray and his spouse loved the 54 12 months of marriage and grandchildren and a pawn store and a jewellery retailer. He stated that their lives have been going as a narrative ebook, however it “has no fairy -tale finish or for an extended ever joyful.”

Murray, 72, was discovered sure and killed within the basement of his home within the 3700 block of Newcastle after his spouse known as 911 to report a theft. Throughout a preliminary examination in December, the deputy medical researcher of the province testified that the reason for loss of life of Murray was neck compression. She additionally stated he was sure with duct tape and that he had blunt drive accidents on his head.

The couple are accused of posing as DTE workers the evening of 10 October 2024, supposedly checking on a gasoline leak, however will not be left in the home. They got here again the subsequent day and have been allowed in and went with Murray, who, based on Pietrofesa, stated he had simply cooked meals for his workers, to the basement.

He stated that when the door of the basement closed, the final time was that Murray’s spouse noticed her husband alive.

Pietrofesa ready jury members for an anticipated testimony, together with Van Murray’s widow, who tells Hernandez “snails” within the face “within the face” to cease screaming after she had interviewed the couple about her husband’s whereabouts. She was sure with duct tape within the kitchen, stated Pietrofesa, whereas Hernandez wished automobile keys and money and Zuazo plundered the higher ground of the home.

Hernandez was arrested in Louisiana. Pietrofesa stated jury members that there was blood and DNA matching of Murray’s on a pair of footwear within the car. Jewellery packing containers and costumes jewellery have been additionally present in his baggage that belonged to the widow of Murray. And, he stated, the DNA of each defendants was discovered within the basement, on the crime scene and on items of duct tape that have been used.

Please contact Christina Corridor: chall@freepress.com. Comply with her on X, previously Twitter: @Challreporter.

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