SPOKANE, Wash. – A decades-old murder case has resurfaced in Washington State Court of Appeals. Richard Aguirre is appealing his 25-year sentence for the murder of Ruby Doss.
The 1986 case went cold until DNA evidence from a condom connected Aguirre to the crime. He was convicted in December 2023 and sentenced in March 2024.
Aguirre’s defense argues mishandled evidence prevented a fair trial. The defense claims the condom with Aguirre’s DNA did not contain Doss’s DNA.
Aguirre’s family shared a statement: “We believe that justice was Not served during the trial. We remain hopeful and pray that the appellate court will recognize the errors made during the 2023 trial and reverse the conviction or grant a new trial.”
“Today was a good day,” said Aguirre’s older sister, Lisa DeRuyter.
“All the DNA at the crime scene on the victim, all excluded Aguirre, except for this one little trace out found in a paper bag that once held the missing condom.” added Aguirre’s Defense Investigator, Wyn Taylor.
The defense noted the condom only showed Aguirre’s DNA, but the evidence bag’s interior had both Aguirre’s and Doss’s DNA.
“The trial attorney did point out the fact it was strange that the condom only returned Mr. Aguirre‘s DNA, but the swab of the inside of the paper bag returned both,” said the State’s Attorney.
Questions about DNA evidence from 1989 and 2015 were raised, noting advancements in testing.
“The aqueous solution from the condom was tested in 1989 the swab from the inside of the brown paper bag was from 2015 so DNA testing capabilities have increased dramatically. I would say that’s fair to say in 30 years,” said the State’s representative.
The state maintains Doss’s DNA in the evidence bag was not due to cross-contamination.
“I think the most obvious reason why her DNA could be inside the evidence bag is because the two had sex,” said a state representative.
Aguirre reportedly confessed to having sex with Doss.
“I think a lot of that a lot of the link is Mr. Aguirre’s confessions to the three, the two officers and the firefighter,” said a state representative. “Mr. Aguirre’s three confessions corroborated the fact that he had a sex act with Miss Doss and it sort of maybe increased the credibility.”
Both sides have 30 days from next week to prepare for a supplemental briefing hearing.
