HOUSTON, Texas – In the heart of Houston, the downtown courthouse is awaiting the arrival of what is sure to be one of the city’s most scrutinized trials in its history.
The case at the center of this legal battle involves Gerald Goines, a former narcotics officer with the Houston Police Department.
Goines faces murder charges related to the deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, the couple who was killed in the 2019 botched raid that has since sparked outrage and deep-seated questions about law enforcement practices.
The ordeal began in January 2019, when a drug raid turned deadly resulting in the deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas. The officers, led by Goines, burst into the couple’s home using a no-knock warrant -- a warrant that authorities later claimed Goines had fabricated.
This ignited a firestorm of controversy, with many questioning the integrity of the investigation and the broader implications for policing in Houston.
With the trial beginning Monday, KPRC 2 Investigates Reporter Mario Diaz is continuing to investigate the case’s details, including whether the jury should be sequestered. Sequestration means the jurors will be kept away from other people and outside influences for the duration of the trial, given that it’s such a high-profile case.
“I don’t know that I ever believe that a jury is fully capable of not looking into information that is blasted upon them on any relevant case,” said criminal defense attorney Erin Epley. “I think that the damage that has been done if it has been done, has already been done. I’m not typically a fan of sequestration and I don’t know if it really works to a defendant’s benefit.”
What is sequestration?
When a jury is sequestered, they are usually kept away from the public and the media during the duration of the trial. Sometimes they are put up in a hotel, unable to watch TV, read newspapers, or use social media. They also usually have limited phone use and are only able to discuss the case with other jurors during deliberations.
Why do judges sequester jurors?
The biggest reason is to protect jurors from outside influences, especially with high-profile trials, such as the Goines case. The Judge wants to ensure that the jurors’ decisions are solely based on the evidence they are provided with in court and not on the news, friends, family, and outside sources.
“I think if the judge feels that, at this time, there is a fair jury impaneled, that they absolutely need to be sequestered,” said criminal defense attorney Angela Weltin. “This case just has way too much publicity, especially in Harris County, and since the case was not moved to another county to be tried where it wasn’t going to get so much local news coverage, yeah, I think that would be a good idea.”
What are the pros and cons of sequestering a jury?
The cons? It can be lonely and stressful for jurors because it keeps them away from the outside world and their normal routines for the duration of the trial. It can also be costly due to hotel expenses and meals. Some say jurors who are sequestered rush through deliberations so they can return to their normal lives.
The pros? Jurors are forced to focus solely on the trial without the worry of outside influences. It can also help prevent jury tampering.
“In most cases, I don’t think that it is necessary, but in this case, it’s different. I will say that if you are a juror or you know somebody who is a juror on this case, please stop and listen to what the facts are in the trial as it unfolds, said criminal defense attorney Angela Weltin.