ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A man accused of killing an Albuquerque couple in their home and then using their car to flee the state learned his fate in court Monday after taking a plea deal.  Richard Ross was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the killings six years ago. First-degree murder charges usually come with a sentence of 30 years to life, but after the plea deal, he will serve much less than that. “That's a total of 21 years in the Department of Corrections. I'm going to suspend all by 12 and a half years of that time, so you will serve 12 and a half years in the Department of Corrections,” said Second Judicial District Court Judge Britt Baca. Through his plea agreement, Richard Ross now admits to killing John and Debra Embry in 2018. The couple was found dead inside their home near Unser and Montaño, where police found a bloody scene with the dead couple bound and gagged. APD said Ross cut off his ankle monitor and fled to Oklahoma in the couple's SUV. Story continues below News: New Mexico’s struggling with an IV fluid shortage; officials think it might ease up Community: Tents, shopping carts, park use: Proposed rules could change how Albuquerque addresses the homeless crisis Trending: Mother seeks answers after son was killed in Albuquerque shooting Officials said Ross told police he met John Embry in jail, and John gave him a place to stay after he got out of prison. He went on trial in 2022. However, after Ross' lawyer claimed the couple were swingers and it opened them up to many potential suspects, the jury couldn't reach a decision, leading to a mistrial. Ross' second trial was supposed to begin on Monday, but instead, he took a plea deal and was sentenced Monday afternoon. A family member of the victims told KRQE she was relieved. “I'm glad it's over. It's been six years. We're definitely glad it’s over with. I would have preferred he got the maximum, but it’s not too far off of that,” said John and Debra Embry’s sister-in-law Karen Embry. Ross also pleaded guilty to a handful of other charges for moving the bodies and stealing the couple's car and credit cards.