HOUSTON – The family of 18-year-old Sara Goodwin joined Community Activist Quanell X to protest the bond given to a man who was charged in connection to the young woman’s death.
Henry David Cossette, 27, was arrested and charged with murder, tampering with evidence, and arson on Feb. 17. His bond was set at $1.2 million.
Quanell X believes that Cossette shouldn’t receive a bond for his actions against Goodwin. He told reporters during the news conference that he allegedly lied to the judge to grant him a bond.
“This was a planned abduction. He kidnapped that woman, killed her, chopped her up, and threw her in a field, and now he’s trying to play crazy,” said Quanell X. “This man ain’t crazy. He knew exactly what he was doing. Even after he killed [Sara Goodwin], he was still riding around to pick up more women.”
A picture was shown during the news conference of Cossette posing at Discovery Green, which was apparently taken hours after Goodwin was killed.
He also blamed the judges for giving criminals a low bond that would be enough to get back on the streets.
“We must live in a city or a county where if you kidnap someone and you murder them, you will get no bond, no matter what your criminal history is,” the activist said.
Goodwin disappeared on Feb. 6 at the intersection of South Course Drive and Bissonnet Street in southwest Houston. Police said she was in the sex worker industry.
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Video shows her getting into a white 2015-2017 model Honda CRV for a moment, but as she tried to quickly exit, she was pulled back inside. That vehicle was linked back to Cossette, police said.
Houston firefighters were dispatched to an intentionally set fire at Cossette’s home on Feb. 19. Cossette was found inside the apartment and taken into custody, at which time, he confessed to killing Goodwin, according to HPD.
He then allegedly told police that he dumped Goodwin’s body in the 1800 block of Fellows Road, which is about 15 miles from where she was last seen. Remains were found at that location and positively identified as Goodwin.