HOUSTON, Texas – The state has rested its case in the murder trial of former Houston Police Department narcotics officer Gerald Goines Thursday.
Goines faces charges related to the fatal 2019 Harding Street raid, which resulted in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog. On Monday, he entered a plea of not guilty.
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The state called several witnesses to testify, some of their key witnesses included Goines’ former partner Steven Bryant, a DPS Lieutenant, an HPD detective, the mother of Rhogena Nicholas, and the brother of Dennis Tuttle.
Tonight at 6:30 p.m. “The Bench” will break down the details of this high-profile trial with Keith Garvin and Mario Diaz along with a rotating panel of legal analysts.
Key testimonies on Wednesday included Texas Ranger Jeff Wolf, who investigated the incident, and Dr. Pramod Gumpeni from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, who classified both deaths as homicides.
Defense attorney George Secrest questioned Wolf extensively about officers’ statements and Nicholas’ stance when she was shot to death, while Dr. Gumpeni confirmed the substances found inside the couple’s bodies when they were killed.
If you missed part of the trial, here’s a recap of our coverage:
KPRC 2 Investigates team Reporter Mario Diaz, Senior Investigates Producer Jason Nguyen, Senior Special Projects Producer Andrea Slaydon, and Digital Content Specialist Ninfa Saavedra will be at the trial dishing out the latest updates for ‘The Bench: Gerald Goines.’
3:50 p.m. - Court goes on break
2:33 p.m. - The Defense calls its first witness to the stand
The Defense calls their first witness to the stand, a Houston Police Department K9 officer Kristin Uhlin.
Uhlin testified about the protocol of using a K9 to investigate a scene.
2:26 p.m. - The state rests its case
The state rested its case, meaning they will not call any new witnesses.
2:07 p.m. - Ronald G. Tuttle called to testify
Ronald, Dennis Tuttle’s brother, was called to the stand to testify. Prosecutors presented an image of Dennis and Rhogena, which Ronald confirmed was his brother and sister-in-law.
After the brief question, the defense took over, asking Ronald, who had been permitted to observe the trial in the courtroom, when he last visited his brother. Ronald replied that his last visit was in either 2017 or 2018, explaining that Dennis did not welcome visitors due to the condition of his home.
Editor’s note: While Ronald testified, Gerald Goines kept his eyes focused on a yellow notepad, seemingly avoiding eye contact with him.
Ronald also recounted visiting his brother’s home after the deadly raid. He described the house as boarded up, with all the windows shattered. He explained that he went to clean out the house, accompanied by his nephew and wife.
Ronald, who resides in the Austin area, testified that he was not in Houston at the time of the deadly raid and only learned of it the next day, on Jan. 29, while he was at work.
1:40 p.m. - The prosecution team plays sworn deposition from Rhogena Nicholas’ mother
Joann Nicholas, 88, the mother of Rhogena Nicholas, testified via Zoom from Louisiana due to medical reasons preventing her from traveling to Houston. She shared that her daughter, who she said was nicknamed “Reggie,” was born in Mississippi.
Joann said she spoke with her daughter two to three times a day. Their last conversation occurred about an hour before Rhogena was killed on Jan. 28.
Recalling the day of the deadly raid, Joann said it seemed like a typical day.
She said Rhogena called her on the morning of Jan. 28 and again in the afternoon. Their final conversation took place at 4:15 p.m.
Joann said she was notified of her daughter’s death at 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 29 by the Nacogdoches Police Department.
When asked if her daughter sold drugs, Joann responded, “No.” She explained that Rhogena did not have much money and that she helped her daughter with bills.
The defense questioned Joann about the last time she visited Rhogena at her home. Joann replied that it had been five years before the deadly raid.
1:37 p.m. - Court resumes
12:25 p.m. - Lt. Wolf dismissed - Court dismissed for lunch
11:14 a.m. - Defense attorney Secrest begins questioning Wolf again
Defense attorney Secrest begins to question Wolf regarding Tuttle’s VA medical records and the officer’s whereabouts during the deadly raid.
For more than an hour, Secrest went through the movements of the officers during the deadly raid, according to their written statements and Wolf’s 3D analysis of the scene.
10:00 a.m. - DPS Lt. Jeff Wolf is back on the stand
The prosecution is now questioning Lt. Wolf for the second time.
On Wednesday, defense attorney George Secrest intensely questioned Wolf about the written statements provided by the officers involved in the deadly raid. According to Wolf, these statements were part of his investigation into what happened inside the Harding Street home.
State attorney Keaton Forcht asked Wolf about the officers’ statements and protocol during a raid. He reiterates with Wolf that no heroin or opioids were found inside the couple’s home, despite the warrant Goines filed saying it did.
Forcht presented Tuttle’s VA medical records to the court, asking Lt. Wolf to read portions of the 2009 record. One entry noted that Tuttle felt hopeless due to both his and his wife’s health. It also revealed that Tuttle had been purchasing Vicodin and opioids from “off the streets,” and was suffering from depression. He indicated he might harm himself or others if he didn’t receive the correct medication. Despite these concerns, the VA hospital determined that Tuttle was not a danger to himself or others, as noted in the record, which Wolf read aloud.
The 2014 medical notes documented Tuttle’s admission of experiencing “three months of hell,” though he declined pain medication, fearing addiction. At that time, Tuttle was on 18 different medications. In May 2014, he reported suffering from depression and expressed a desire to leave the home and room he had been confined to for 13 years. He also mentioned wanting to socialize with veterans rather than “druggies” or “thugs.”
In June 2014, Tuttle shared that his wife was dying of cancer, and he was experiencing sharp hip pain, though he still tried to do work around his deteriorating home. He mentioned that taxes had not been paid in four years.
By 2015, Tuttle contacted the VA hospital, after being sent a letter stating that “they” were taking away his disability check. Throughout many reports, Tuttle consistently complained of chronic pain but refused pain medication, preferring pain shots instead. He also stated he was not suicidal and disclosed that he had guns in his home, which were securely locked away. However, in one instance, Tuttle admitted he had considered hanging himself due to the overwhelming pain and difficulties in keeping up with life.
The 2017 records revealed Tuttle’s son invited him to his wedding in Oregon, but he was anxious about affording the trip. He stated he had not left his home in 17 years, except for visits to the VA hospital, Walmart, and the beach. He confessed to being close to “blowing his brains out,” though he denied intending to commit suicide, despite struggling to find a reason to live. He also mentioned that his meals primarily consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and he had no friends or anyone who would miss him if he died.
At this point, Tuttle explained his living conditions as poor, stating that his toilets didn’t flush, he had to shower at a neighbor’s home, and he stored water in bottles.
Three days before the deadly raid, Tuttle referred to his puppy as a “kitchen-devouring monster” and described how difficult things had been over the last three months. He also mentioned craving alcohol.