Oklahoma man testifies at his own trial in couple's 2018 killings

Richard Alan Ross took the witness stand Wednesday at his trial on two counts of first-degree murder and tried to explain to jurors how blood from one of the victims may have stained his suede loafers.

Ross, 44, also is charged with two counts of kidnapping and other charges in the beating deaths of John and Debra Embry, both 67, who were found dead in their Northwest Albuquerque home in December 2018.

A DNA specialist with the Albuquerque police crime lab told jurors earlier Wednesday that two blood stains found on Ross’ shoes matched Debra Embry’s DNA with a high degree of probability.

Ross told a 2nd Judicial District Court jury that Debra Embry was helping him with home repairs at the Embry home in the 6200 block of Sweetwater NW when a staple popped out and cut her arm. “She bled profusely,” Ross testified.

Ross and John Embry met in October at the Metropolitan Detention Center while both were in jail for probation violations. Embry invited Ross, an Oklahoma man, to live at the couple’s home after Ross was released from jail Nov. 14, 2018. Ross performed repairs at the Embry’s home.

Prosecutors allege that Ross killed the couple Dec. 2, 2018, then fled to Oklahoma with the Embrys’ car, debit cards, cellphones and a flat-screen television.

Ross testified Wednesday that the Embrys were alive when he left their home that day and that he had the couple’s permission to take their car, debit cards and other items.

The day the Embrys were killed, Ross said he heard a loud knock and saw John Embry open the door.

“There’s a man that I’ve never seen before,” Ross told jurors. “John treated him like they knew each other, like they were buddies.” The man went upstairs to see Debra Embry, Ross testified.

Moments later, John Embry told Ross that he needed to leave and return to Oklahoma, Ross testified.

“Because of their lifestyle, I think something else was going on upstairs, so I’m just minding my own business,” Ross told jurors. The Embrys and a third person were alive inside the house when Ross set out for Oklahoma, he testified.

Ross’ attorney, Edward Bustamante, told jurors in opening statements that the Embrys had an “alternative lifestyle” or “open marriage” and invited other people into their home for sexual activity.

Albuquerque police found the couple bludgeoned to death Dec. 7, five days after they were killed, witnesses testified. The couple’s bodies were covered in blankets with their hands bound behind their backs with zip ties.

Ross was arrested about two days later by Oklahoma authorities. In addition to murder and kidnapping, he faces charges of vehicle theft, larceny and two counts each of tampering with evidence, identity theft, and unauthorized use of debit cards.

Ross was tried in 2013 in the killing of James Sharpe, who was found beaten to death in 2011 in a Southeast Albuquerque motel room that Ross rented. A 2nd Judicial District Court jury failed to reach a verdict on a first-degree murder charge but convicted him of tampering with evidence and theft of a vehicle and credit cards.