Trial Begins for Men Accused of Impersonating Utility Workers in Michigan Man’s “Brutal” Killing

Two men accused of posing as utility workers and carrying out a violent home invasion that left a 72-year-old Michigan man dead and his wife bound and beaten are now on trial.

Jurors were seated this week in Oakland County, where the unusual decision was made to empanel two separate juries — one for each defendant — so both men could be tried at the same time but deliberated on separately, ClickOnDetroit, the Oakland Press and FOX 2 Detroit reported.

Opening statements began Tuesday, Sept. 30, per the outlets.

The case dates back to Oct. 11, 2024, when Hussein and Linda Murray were attacked inside their home. The night before, the suspects had allegedly tried and failed to get inside, PEOPLE previously reported. When they returned the next day, they again impersonated workers from Detroit utility company DTE and claimed there was a gas leak, prosecutors say.

Hussein went with them to the basement where the gas lines entered the home; he never came back upstairs. Deputies later found him dead there, with duct tape binding his wrists and ankles, per prosecutors and the outlets. Blood was also found in the basement and on the stairway handrails.

Upstairs, Linda alleged she was ambushed.

She said in a previous court hearing that one of the men demanded money and jewelry, and when she asked about her husband, he struck her in the face before binding her wrists and ankles with duct tape. She said she saw blood on the other man when he emerged from the basement, per the outlets.

The Oakland County medical examiner later ruled Hussein’s death a homicide due to blunt force trauma, the outlets reported, and said it appeared he had also been strangled.

The men allegedly spent about 20 minutes inside, searching through rooms and even the garage, before leaving with Hussein’s phone and watch, according to the outlets. Linda eventually freed herself and called 911. After the attack, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office released Ring camera footage of the two suspects.

Murray was the owner of Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck, per The Detroit News, the Detroit Free Press and WXYZ News Detroit — and prosecutors argue that the attack on his home was targeted in connection with his business.

“This was not random, this was not an accident, it was not a coincidence they showed up at his house,” Assistant Prosecutor John Pietrofesa said in court on Tuesday, per The Detroit News. “This was targeted and it was very well-planned.”

Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, was arrested weeks later in Shreveport, Louisiana, after investigators used the Ring doorbell footage to identify him and secure warrants. His co-defendant, 39-year-old Joshua Zuazo, was taken into custody in Michigan. Both men pleaded not guilty at their arraignments and are charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to ClickOnDetroit, FOX 2 Detroit and The Detroit News.

At the time of the arrests, prosecutors called the crime “brutal” and pursued the highest possible charge. If they are convicted, prosecutors have said they will seek a life sentence without the possibility of parole, PEOPLE previously reported.

Hernandez’s attorney, Paulette Loftin, argued Tuesday that her client never intended to kill Murray:

“It will be clear to you Mr. Hernandez was one of those individuals in that house on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11,” Loftin said, per The Detroit News. “The unfortunate death of Mr. Murray was never part of the plan, never even part of the discussion. It will be clear to you Mr. Hernandez did not take part in the beating of Mr. Murray.”

Hussein’s grandson remembered him as “a man with a heart of gold who treated all those around him with kindness and compassion,” PEOPLE previously reported.

“He has made a lasting impact with our family and community, and I’m beyond proud to call him my grandfather,” Hussein’s grandson told 7 News Detroit. “We are heartbroken by the news of his death, but our family will bond through this with the resolve he has instilled in us by being the man he was.”

The case is being heard before Judge Yasmin Poles and is expected to last several weeks, according to ClickOnDetroit, Fox 2 Detroit and The Detroit News.

Both men remain in custody as the trial continues.