Thursday, August 8th 2013, 7:10 pm
A man arrested and accused of murdering an Oklahoma City convenience store clerk is set free. Now he and his family are speaking out.
"I didn't do it," said Michael Devereaux, who was set free Wednesday, after being arrested for murder last Thursday. "I'm not that kind of person."
His family is standing by him. They too hope the person responsible is caught.
"I feel very sorry for the family," said Keshawn McDaniel, Devereaux's sister. "But that's not my brother."
7/24/2013 Related Story: Police Investigate Deadly Convenience Store Shooting In NW OKC
Devereaux says last Thursday police knocked on the door to his El Reno home and arrested him.
"I asked them what am I going to jail for and nobody would tell me anything," said Devereaux.
An Oklahoma County prosecutor tells News 9 someone called in a tip, saying a friend told them Devereaux was the one responsible for killing 62-year-old Habib Hajimirzai on July 23rd at the Four Seasons convenience store near 63rd and Santa Fe Ave. But now there are some questions with that story, so police and prosecutors chose to release Devereaux pending further investigation.
"I believe whoever told this has a grudge against my brother," said McDaniel. "They are trying to ruin my brother's life."
Both Devereaux and his sister say on the night of the murder, he was at home in El Reno with his girlfriend and two sons.
"I was playing a video game," said Devereaux. He says the surveillance picture released by police looks nothing like him.
"He's taller than me. I am bigger than he is. I've never been in that store in my life."
8/1/2013 Related Story: Suspect Arrested In Murder Of Convenience Store Clerk In SE OKC
Devereaux says the arrest has been an ordeal for the entire family.
"I know he didn't do this," said McDaniel. "ur family stands by him 100 percent, and know he didn't do this."
"You're innocent until proven guilty. But not all the time," said Devereaux.
According to the DA's office, Oklahoma City police are actively pursuing other leads in this case, and Devereaux has only been released pending further investigation.
The family of the convenience store clerk sent News 9 this statement:
"Our family has complete faith in the police department and our justice system we also have faith in our community coming together and assisting the police in capturing this merciless murderer."
August 8th, 2013
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