SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A former Pasco police officer accused of murdering a sex worker in 1986 will be back in court for a retrial after Thanksgiving; this time, without a jury.
Richard Aguirre is charged with first-degree murder for the death of 27-year-old Ruby Doss. Her body was found near the old Playfair Horse tracks in Spokane in 1986. Aguirre stood trial for the murder in 2021, but a mistrial was declared after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
Nearly two years later, Aguirre will again stand trial for the murder. Aguirre waived his right to a jury trial in October, meaning Spokane County Judge Jeremy Schmidt will decide if he is responsible for Doss' death.
Investigators believe Doss and Aguirre had "a sexual encounter" that turned into a physical altercation, according to court documents. Detectives believe Doss drew her knife at some point, but was disarmed and ran away to the area where her body was later found.
Police said they found Doss' belongings in a manure pit. They also found a steak knife and a used condom, all of which was sent to a DNA lab in 1989 and again in 2001. Neither test returned any matches.
In 2015, a forensic scientist notified investigators that the DNA from the condom found near Doss’ belongings was a match for Aguirre, according to court documents.
Prosecutors charged Aguirre with murder in 2016 but dropped the charges one year later after they determined there was not enough evidence to convict him.
In 2021, Aguirre stood trial for the murder. After several weeks of testimony, the jury could not return a unanimous verdict, and the judge declared a mistrial.
Aguirre's retrial was set to begin in March 2022 but was delayed several times as the prosecution needed more time to construct its case. During this time, Aguirre waived his right to a jury trial and instead allowed Spokane County Judge Jeremy Schmidt to decide his case. He also filed a motion to exclude certain testimony, including his trial and acquittal on a rape charge in Franklin County and any references to him being called a "choker" by former sexual partners.
The retrial will begin on November 27, 2023, and last through Dec. 18, 2023.
Aguirre is charged with first-degree murder but could potentially be found guilty of a lesser charge, such as manslaughter or second-degree murder. He faces up to life in prison if found guilty.
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