SPOKANE, Wash. — After four weeks, the trial of Richard Aguirre, the man accused of killing Ruby Doss, is over.
On Tuesday, both the prosecution and Aguirre's defense team made their closing arguments. Much of the argument Tuesday and throughout trial revolved around DNA evidence. Prosecutors say Aguirre's DNA was found on a condom decades after Doss's death, linking him to the crime.
Aguirre's defense, including through their one witness, argued the DNA evidence in this case is unreliable. Defense attorney Karen Lindholt argued investigators back in 1986 contaminated evidence, like the condom, by handling items without gloves.
“Contamination was so great that the DNA contributions on the red blouse were 35% from Ms. Doss and 61% from William Morig. So there was almost double the DNA contributed to Ruby Doss’ blouse by Will Morig because he didn't properly handle the evidence, or should I say back in the 80s they didn't understand touch DNA and understand cross-contamination,” Lindholt said.