Amanda Hernandez dreamed of a house with "no rent" and "a nice backyard" — but a Michigan judge reminded her that dream will now be replaced by the prison yard.
Background
The 34-year-old Medina Township woman learned her fate Wednesday in Oakland County Circuit Court, where she pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion, conspiracy to commit false personation of a public utility worker, and accessory after the fact to a felony. Her convictions stem from the Oct. 11, 2024, home invasion that left 72-year-old Hussein "Sam" Murray dead at his residence.
Prosecutors alleged Hernandez's husband, 40-year-old Carlos Hernandez, and 41-year-old Joshua Zuazo posed as gas company employees to gain entry into Murray's home before carrying out the attack. Linda Murray, Hussein's wife, was restrained on the upper floor while her husband was beaten to death in the basement by the two men.
The case hinged on nearly 100 text messages exchanged between Amanda Hernandez and her husband in the days leading up to the murder. Oakland County prosecutors presented these communications during proceedings, which were also obtained by local NBC affiliate WDIV.
The Investigation
According to court records and prosecutor statements, the text messages revealed detailed planning of the home invasion scheme. Among the exchanges cited by authorities: Amanda Hernandez allegedly confirmed that fake DTE badges "were delivered," instructed her husband to "[t]urn your phone off when you're out there just in case," expressed relief that the men had "a good getaway car," and reminded them to ensure "there was no cameras around."
The couple also allegedly discussed purchasing a home with proceeds from the robbery, with Amanda Hernandez writing she wanted a place with "no rent" where they could have "a nice backyard."
Judge NancI Grant revisited these texts before issuing her sentence, telling Hernandez directly: "You are not an innocent victim. You were all in on this."
Linda Murray addressed Hernandez before sentencing, saying: "Amanda, maybe instead of looking for the easy way to get a house with a big yard, and if you and your husband had worked as hard as my husband did, you might have had one without planning to rob us and getting my husband killed."
The Sentencing
Grant sentenced Hernandez to 57 months to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion. She received concurrent sentences of one to five years for accessory after the fact to a felony and one to two years for conspiracy to commit false personation of a public utility worker. Hernandez was credited with 197 days served.
Her co-defendants fared far worse. Carlos Hernandez and Zuazo were both found guilty of murdering Murray and his wife, and were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in December 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Amanda Hernandez pleaded no contest to three charges connected to the home invasion murder of Hussein 'Sam' Murray
- Nearly 100 text messages between Hernandez and her husband revealed detailed planning of the scheme
- The texts included discussions about buying a home with "no rent" and a "nice backyard" using stolen proceeds
- Judge Nanci Grant told Hernandez: "You were all in on this."
- Murray's widow Linda Murray directly addressed Hernandez during sentencing
- Carlos Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo received life sentences in December 2025 for the actual murder
What's Next
Amanda Hernandez will serve her sentence at a Michigan women's correctional facility. Her co-defendants are already serving life sentences without parole. No further court proceedings remain pending in this case.