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

Aguirre friend, family speak out

Statement questions motives of prosecutor

The family of murder suspect Richard Aguirre is questioning whether the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office is trying to sway public opinion against the former Pasco police officer.

“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 say they recovered thousands of sexually explicit videos and photos from Aguirre’s phones. The charge of voyeurism stems from a video in which the victim said he was unaware he was being recorded during sex and had not given his permission.

Aguirre also faces 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 a Spokane courtroom 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 they’re in the clear.

Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell said the allegation was based on information his department received from the Spokane Police Department and declined to elaborate. Spokane police Chief Frank Straub said he would not comment on the allegations.

Ledoux, flanked by Aguirre’s two sisters and mother, stood in front of the Spokane County Courthouse Friday and read a prepared statement questioning the prosecutor’s motives.

“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 also claimed that Spokane police, the alleged source of the information, have a track record of “unethical behavior,” Ledoux said.

Ledoux said neither Aguirre nor his family received 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 homicide.

The family believes Spokane police and prosecutors are “willing to do or say anything to shift the public views in their favor,” Ledoux said.