Life in prison for men in slaying of jeweler in Rochester Hills home

Abdu Murray stated his dad and mom got here nearly from nowhere and labored all their lives to get the large home and backyard.

And Carlos Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo noticed that success with envious eyes.

“There isn’t a regret but of their hearts for the sins they’ve dedicated,” Murray informed Oakland County Circuit Choose Yasmine Poles, who on Tuesday, December 9, sentenced Hernandez and Zuazo to life in jail with out the potential for parole for the homicide of Murray’s father.

Hernandez and Zuazo, each from Dearborn, disguised themselves as DTE employees to realize entry to Hussein Murray’s residence in Rochester Hills in October 2024. Hussein Murray was overwhelmed to loss of life within the basement.

Abdu Murray, the eldest of three sons, turned to the pair as they stood within the jury field sporting handcuffs and orange jail sweaters. He stated they need to pay for his or her actions and that, for the sake of justice, the group and themselves, they need to “absolutely really feel the burden of their sin.”

Zuazo, 40, and Hernandez, 38, who entered the home with the intent to steal, refused to make statements to the court docket throughout their sentencing. Their attorneys stated the lads plan to enchantment their convictions for first-degree homicide and illegal imprisonment.

Nonetheless, the Poles didn’t mince their phrases, saying {that a} court docket not often sees against the law with this degree of depravity, conceitedness and greed.

“His life meant nothing to you,” she stated earlier than sentencing the 2 males.

Poles stated the pair might have stopped at each step they took, saying sufficient is sufficient. However they could not, she stated, as a result of “it is an act of cowardice.”

“It is pathetic. Your actions are completely pathetic,” she informed the couple.

Extra: Juries discover two males responsible of murdering jeweler Hamtramck after posing as faux DTE staff

Poland stated that whereas nobody is aware of precisely what occurred within the basement, she is assured Hussein Murray fought them off bravely, and he or she hopes the final moments he watched the pair come again to hang-out them.

“One breath in Mr. Murray’s life doesn’t symbolize an oz of your dignity or price,” she stated. ‘He was a loyal man. He was a hardworking man. How dare you?’

The Poles additionally sentenced every to 19 to 80 years in jail on two counts of illegal imprisonment.

Zuazo and Hernandez stood in separate rows within the jury field, separated by 4 chairs, whereas the widow and sons of Murray, 72, a beloved Hamtramck jeweler, sat within the entrance row. 9 deputies stood across the courtroom.

Murray was killed after the couple entered the Murrays’ residence on October 11, 2024. He was discovered killed and certain with duct tape and zip ties within the basement of the 3700 block of Newcastle. Murray’s reason behind loss of life was neck compression, and he had blunt pressure accidents to his head.

Linda Murray needed to go upstairs, however was in a position to name 911. She testified on the trial. After the sentencings, she stood within the hallway together with her sons and stated, “I am simply glad it is over” and thanked everybody for his or her work on the case.

Zuazo and Hernandez have been accused of posing as utility employees on the night time of Oct. 10, allegedly searching for a fuel leak, however weren’t allowed into the house. They got here again the following day, have been allowed in and went to the basement with Murray. He by no means got here up once more. The prosecutor stated Hernandez beat Murray’s spouse and tied her up with duct tape within the kitchen, and that Zuazo ransacked the home. Gadgets taken from the house have been present in Hernandez’s automobile when it was stopped in Louisiana.

Ring video captured the suspects exterior the house earlier than they entered.

Extra: Pontiac man charged with murdering stepfather over doorbell cameras

Prosecutors stated the pair deliberate the theft, stole a getaway automobile that was later set on fireplace in Detroit and used supplies marked DTE. They stated Hernandez went to Murray’s pawn store in Hamtramck in October 2023 and returned in early 2024, asking for the proprietor and even shaking his hand.

Murray’s different sons additionally spoke in court docket. Moheeb Murray learn a brief poem his mom wrote to precise her emotions and the lack of her husband of 54 years. Her poem started, “They stole my sunshine” and added that the world is darker now with out the love of her life.

Rehif Murray stated his father was form, heat and brave, the rock who by no means let anybody down. He stated his father did not take holidays or get pleasure from fancy dinners and was simply beginning to get pleasure from retirement and time along with his grandchildren.

Then Rehif Murray stated: “His life was stolen” and his mom needed to bear trauma. He stated he has extreme melancholy, as his father was his hero, and he does not imagine Zuazo and Hernandez are remorseful.

“He crammed the place with pleasure and his presence is missed day by day,” he stated of his father.

Abdu Murray agreed, saying because the couple robbed his mom of her husband, “They robbed us all.”

Contact Christina Corridor: chall@freepress.com. Observe her on X, previously Twitter: @challreporter.

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