HOUSTON, Texas – The sentencing phase for former Houston Police Department narcotics officer Gerald Goines started Thursday morning, following his conviction on two counts of felony murder.
The same jury that found Goines guilty for his role in the fatal 2019 Harding Street raid will now determine his sentence, which could range up to life in prison.
Goines was convicted in connection with the deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, as well as their dog, during a controversial no-knock raid. The raid, which was later found to be based on falsified information provided by Goines, has become a focal point on police corruption and misconduct in the Houston Police Department’s narcotics division.
The prosecution, led by Tanisha Manning and Keaton Forcht, argued during the trial that Goines’s fabrication of information to secure the no-knock warrant directly led to the deadly encounter. They presented a strong case, including phone records and testimonies, to demonstrate that neither Goines nor a confidential informant had purchased drugs from the Harding Street home prior to the raid. Their evidence revealed many lies, including the nonexistence of the supposed informant.
As the jury continues the sentencing phase, they will hear additional testimonies and evidence to influence the severity of Goines’s punishment.
This phase will likely feature emotional accounts from the families of Tuttle and Nicholas, who have been vocal in their pursuit of justice. Nicholas’s family attorney, Mike Doyle, expressed the family’s gratitude for the guilty verdict and indicated that their fight for justice will continue in civil courts.
The defense team, led by attorneys Nicole Deborde and George Secrest, is expected to argue for leniency. Throughout the trial, they painted Tuttle and Nicholas as drug users and claimed that Nicholas had attempted to grab an officer’s weapon during the raid. They also argued that Tuttle’s actions during the raid, including allegedly firing at officers first, were the primary cause of the deadly outcome. The defense suggested that Goines was being scapegoated due to media pressure and broader allegations of corruption within the HPD narcotics unit.
5:17 p.m. - Court is adjourned until Wednesday
Court will resume Wednesday at 9:45 a.m.
4:55 p.m. - State calls the fourth witness to the stand
A deacon at a church in Sunnyside testified about a traumatic day in April 2008. He recounted taking his kids to school and visiting his parents’ house before picking up and selling scrap metal. He was confronted by officers who demanded to know where the drugs were, threatening severe consequences if he did not comply. The officers searched the property for about an hour before finding a can in the neighbor’s yard, which led to his arrest and jail time.
Charged with a first-degree felony, he pleaded not guilty and went to trial. Gerald Goines testified that he saw the deacon run to the neighbor’s yard and throw a can filled with drugs. The deacon refuted this, stating he was disabled at the time and unable to run.
The deacon testified that multiple witnesses were called on his behalf during the trial, and he also took the stand himself. He maintained that he did not sell drugs or take anyone’s money. Despite this, he was convicted and sentenced to two eight-year terms, ultimately spending 14 months in prison and six months on parole. During his incarceration, he contracted hepatitis and became diabetic, resulting in a weight loss from 175 pounds to 160 pounds.
Upon his release, the highest court in Texas declared him innocent and overturned his conviction. He was awarded $260,000 for his time in prison. The deacon stated that, despite what Goines had done, he harbors no anger or malice.
The deacon concluded by pointing out Goines in the courtroom, stating he “looks like a man who is currently going through something serious.”
4:50 p.m. - Detective Snook dismissed from stand
3:54 p.m. - The state continues questioning their third witness
Detective John Snook testifies about the evidence found in Goines’ city-issued vehicle following the deadly raid.
The defense began questioning Snook at 4:20 p.m. Defense attorney Secrest asked the detective if he knew when Goines’ vehicle was last checked, to which Snook replied that he did not know. Secrest also presented evidence showing that several pieces of older evidence had been left in Goines’ vehicle, suggesting that his client was “sloppy” with handling evidence over the years but not intentionally.
3:33 p.m. - Jury excused for break
2:56 p.m. - Ms. Calvin steps down, state calls their third witness to stand.
The state called Houston Police Department Detective John Snook, who testified that he has been with HPD for over 20 years. On Jan. 31, 2019, Snook was assigned to search Goines’ city-issued vehicle for any information related to the search warrant. He reported finding .39 grams of cocaine in the front seat. A larger bag was also discovered, but it was not identified as a controlled substance.
1:46 p.m. - Second witness called to the stand by the state
A confidential informant, Ms. Calvin, took the stand, stating she worked for Goines for about 22 years, showing him various drug spots throughout Houston.
Initially, she said she bought drugs for Goines as a CI, but over time, their relationship changed. Towards the end, she would meet Goines at the police station, sign a form with her name on it, and receive money without doing any actual work.
State attorney Forcht presented several affidavits signed by Ms. Calvin, indicating she had purchased drugs from various homes, but Calvin testified that she never purchased drugs from those homes and merely signed her name without performing any actual work.
At 2:04 p.m., Goines’ lawyers began questioning Ms. Calvin. Defense attorney William Reagan Wynn noted that Ms. Calvin was paid over 80 times while working with Goines. She testified that at least 30 of those times, she was paid without doing any actual work.
Wynn asked Ms. Calvin if she had experienced significant tragedy in her life, to which she responded that she had. She also acknowledged being a frequent drug user but denied ever being under the influence while conducting drug buys for Goines.
Ms. Calvin said she was asked about being a CI for Harding Street, but she said she was not. On Jan. 30, 2019, she was taken to the police station and questioned about being Goines’ CI.
12:30 p.m. - Sgt. Bass released from stand - Court takes lunch break
10: 15 a.m. - Prosecution calls first witness to stand, HPD Sgt. Richard Bass called to the stand
HPD Sgt. Richard Bass, a member of the Homicide Special Investigations Unit, who was assigned to investigate the search warrant related to the deadly Harding Street raid, was the first to take the stand in Goines’ sentencing phase.
He went through several cases where Goines was the lead and allegedly fabricated CI’s buying drugs from known drug dealers throughout Houston. State attorney Forcht presented multiple instances where Goines fabricated using a CI to get no-knock search warrants.
Bass said he interviewed all five of Goines’ CIs he used throughout the years.
Missed a day or two? Get caught up with our daily coverage of the trial:
Day 10: Prosecution and defense rest in Harding Street murder trial
Day 9: Defense begins presenting case in Gerald Goines murder trial
Day 8: Autopsy photos shown in Goines trial for deadly Harding St. raid
Day 7: Jurors hear from Texas Ranger who investigated deadly Harding St. raid
Day 6: HPD detective says no evidence Gerald Goines fired firearm during deadly Harding St. raid
Day 5: Defense questions thoroughness of Harding St. home search after deadly raid
Day 4: Gerald Goines’ former HPD partner, Steven Bryant, drops bombshell during emotional testimony
Day 2 of Gerald Goines murder trial: State drilling down on initial 911 call that got things going
Day 1: Ex-HPD narcotics officer’s lies led to deadly Harding Street raid, prosecutors argue