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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pasco police officer’s family question motives of Spokane prosecutors, police

The family of murder suspect and former Pasco police officer Richard Aguirre are questioning whether the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office is trying to sway public opinion against Aguirre. “We would like to unequivocally state that Richard Aguirre is completely innocent of the charges of voyeurism and murder,” said family friend Tina Ledoux. “Rich is a kind, compassionate and dedicated family man who proudly served his country in the military before serving his community with distinction as a police officer.” Aguirre is accused of killing Ruby Doss in Spokane in 1986 while he was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. Police recovered thousands of sexually explicit videos and photos from Aguirre’s phones. The charge of voyeurism stems from a video where the victim said he was unaware he was being recorded during sex and had not given his permission. He is also facing an unrelated rape charge in Franklin County. He was put on paid administrative leave in November when that charge was filed and resigned from the Pasco Police Department in April after serving for 27 years. Last week a deputy prosecuting attorney said in court that members of the Pasco Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office are suspected of leaking information about the murder case to Aguirre. Both law enforcement agencies deny the allegations and say officials in the Spokane Police Department have assured them that they’re in the clear. Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell said the allegation was based on information that his department received from the Spokane Police Department and declined to elaborate. Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub also said he would not be commenting on the allegations. Ledoux, flanked by Aguirre’s two sisters and mother, stood in front of the Spokane County Courthouse Friday and questioned the prosecutor’s motives in a prepared statement. “Did you put this accusation of leaked information on the record in court with media attention and without evidence or proof to back up the allegations as a psychological tactic to influence the court and the public?” she said. The family is also skeptical about the source of the alleged information, Ledoux said. A Google search turns up multiple instances “where the unethical behavior of Spokane Police, including brutality, appears to be very active.” Ledoux said that the family and Aguirre have not received any privileged information about the case. She called the case against Aguirre “weak and circumstantial at best,” though Aguirre’s DNA was recovered from the scene of the murder. The family believes that the Spokane Police and prosecutors are “willing to do or say anything to shift the public views in their favor,” Ledoux said. While Aguirre is determined to prove his innocence, the family said they are now afraid they will be targets of “dishonest and unethical behavior” by police, Ledoux said. “We plead with them to not abuse their power.”