HOUSTON, Texas – The sentencing phase for former Houston Police Department narcotics officer Gerald Goines has begun following his conviction on two counts of felony murder.
Goines was found guilty for his role in the fatal 2019 Harding Street raid that resulted in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog. The raid was initiated based on falsified information provided by Goines, bringing to light issues of police corruption and misconduct within the HPD’s narcotics division.
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During the trial, prosecutors Tanisha Manning and Keaton Forcht presented evidence, including phone records and testimonies, to show that neither Goines nor a confidential informant had purchased drugs from the Harding Street home prior to the raid. The prosecution’s evidence revealed that the informant Goines claimed to have used did not exist.
The jury responsible for Goines’s conviction will now decide his sentence, which could be life in prison. This phase will likely include emotional testimonies from the families of Tuttle and Nicholas.
On the defense side, attorneys Nicole Deborde and George Secrest are expected to argue for leniency. They portrayed Tuttle and Nicholas as drug users and suggested that Nicholas had attempted to grab an officer’s weapon during the raid. They also claimed that Tuttle’s actions, including allegedly firing at officers first, were the primary cause of the deadly outcome. The defense argued that Goines was being scapegoated due to media pressure and broader allegations of corruption within the HPD narcotics unit.
On the first day of the sentencing phase, a deacon testified about a “traumatic” 2008 encounter with Goines, where he was arrested based on Goines’s false testimony. The deacon was convicted and spent 14 months in prison before being declared innocent and awarded $260,000. Despite Goines’s actions, the deacon stated he harbors no anger or malice.
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
Detective John Snook testified about evidence found in Goines’s city-issued vehicle following the raid, including .39 grams of cocaine. The defense suggested that Goines was “sloppy” in handling evidence but not intentionally deceitful.
Also, one of Goines’ confidential informants, Ms. Calvin, testified that she worked for the ex-HPD narcotics officer for about 22 years, often signing affidavits without performing actual work.
4:20 p.m. - Both sides rest their cases in the sentencing phase. Jury dismissed
The jury will return Thursday to hear closing arguments and then deliberate on Goines’ sentencing.
4:13 p.m. - Elizabeth Ferrari, Denis Tuttle’s sister is called to the stand
Elizabeth Ferrari delivered an emotional testimony about her relationship with her brother, describing the difficulty she faced after his death.
She expressed that losing him felt like losing a life partner and noted the negative impact on her business.
Despite not seeing Dennis Tuttle more than once or twice a year, Ferrari said she maintained regular contact with him through weekly phone calls.
4:12 p.m. - The defense rests its case
The defense will not call any more witnesses to testify on behalf of Gerald Goines.
3:53 p.m. - April Goines, Gerald Goines’ daughter is called to the stand
April Goines, the daughter of Gerald Goines, describes her relationship with her father as extremely close, likening them to “two peas in a pod.”
She credits her father with instilling in her a strong work ethic, considering him her role model.
April is the mother of three kids, describing their relationship with Goines as very loving. She said her children love their “Pawpaw.”
3:43 p.m. - Jury comes back into the courtroom, and the defense’s next witness is called to the stand
One of Goines’ church members takes the stand, testifying that Goines attends weekly prayer meetings. He testified that periodically, Goines would lead the prayer.
And despite the guilty verdict, he still considers Goines as a friend and good person.
3:30 p.m. - Court takes afternoon break
2:55 p.m. - Sgt. Richard Garcia testifies, Goines’ colleague
Garcia, who has known Goines for over 30 years at the Houston Police Department, described him as a “superhero.”
Despite Goines’s conviction, Garcia’s view of him remains unchanged, calling him an honorable officer.
He noted that Goines was two weeks from retirement before the Harding Street raid and mentioned that Goines was often slow with paperwork. Garcia mentioned advising Goines to use his final two weeks to complete his outstanding paperwork, but Goines declined, choosing instead to focus on completing his duties.
During the state’s re-cross, Manning asked Garcia about his retirement, which occurred 14 years ago. Garcia, who worked for HPD for 30 years, mostly in the narcotics division, was questioned about the fabrication of a confidential informant and lying to a judge.
Manning asked if he believed those actions were those of a good officer, to which Garcia responded that he did not.
2:41 p.m. - Tiffany Goines, Gerald’s wife takes the stand
Tiffany recounted meeting Gerald at a football game for her son from a previous relationship, where Goines served as her son’s coach.
She described Gerald as a religious man, which drew her to him, and characterized him as loving and welcoming.
Tiffany discovered Gerald had been shot while watching the news and noted he underwent over 10 surgeries afterward. She communicated with him via sign language and writing during his recovery.
After his release from the hospital, Gerald still had a tube in his stomach, couldn’t eat, and was in significant pain.
Gerald recently spent a week in the hospital for a blockage that could have been life-threatening without medical attending, Tiffany said.
2:31 p.m. - Cassandra Green, Goines’ sister-in-law, takes the stand.
Green, a mother of three and Gerald Goines’s sister-in-law described him as a gentle giant. She highlighted Goines’s role as a coach and mentor to her son.“I think my brother-in-law has suffered enough. I really do.”
Green said Goines was in the hospital last week due to stomach issues he suffered after the deadly raid.
2:21 p.m. - Cheryl Wilkonson, Goines church member
Wilkonson, an account manager at a law firm, stated she met Goines at their church, where he eventually coached her son in football.
2:15 p.m. - Pastor Derick Davis called to the stand
Derick recounted meeting Gerald at church and described their relationship as positive, characterizing Goines as humble and respectful. He noted that Goines joined the congregation after the deadly raid in a broken state.
Derick stated that the church and its members treated Goines with compassion, and he believes that Gerald embraced this acceptance and experienced personal growth over the years.
2:09 p.m. - Tamara Davis, Goines’ former colleague and friend
Tamera testified that she worked for the Houston Police Department for over 10 years in the property room.
She mentioned meeting Goines, who she described as very respectful, during his time as a police officer and through their shared church membership.
According to Tamera, Goines joined their church in a broken state, fearful of how he would be received. She noted that he attended prayer meetings every Tuesday and church services every Sunday.
Tamera described Goines as a protective, understanding, and good person.
2:00 p.m. - Reverend Anthony Collins, Goines’ friend, called to the stand.
Collins, an operations manager, hosts a prayer meeting on Saturdays.
He met Goines, whom he calls his brother, during gym sessions. They have worked out together four times a week for the past 15 years.
Collins describes Goines’s relationship with his daughter as very close, noting that she refers to him as “Uncle G.”
Collins, who hosts a Saturday prayer call, stated that Goines has participated in most of these calls over the past eight years.
1:50 p.m. - Court resumes. The defense calls Lorenzo to the stand, the personal assistant for the Laniers.
Lorenzo, the house manager and personal assistant for the Laniers, testified that he oversaw the household staff, including Goines when he briefly worked for the family and cared for Mayor Lanier.
He described Goines as very honest and important to the Lanier family.
12:48 p.m. - Court breaks for lunch and Courtney Lanier excused from the stand
12:36 p.m. - Court calls Courtney Lanier to the stand, she is the daughter of the late Mayor Bob Lanier
Courtney met Goines in 1998 after moving back to Houston when her father had just suffered a heart attack.
She described Goines as amazing and part of their extended family, noting his kindness, discretion, and loyalty.
When asked if she was ever afraid that Goines might have taken advantage of her father, she responded that while Gerald had opportunities to do so, he never acted on them. She also emphasized that Gerald was not good with paperwork and often failed to submit his time for payment.
12:07 p.m. - The defense calls Elyse Lanier, the wife of the late Bob Lanier
Elyse testified that she has known Goines for over 20 years, dating back to the 1990s. She described him as a “gentle giant” and stated that despite what she heard in court, her love for him has only grown due to his current struggles.
Elyse recounted how Goines, whom she considers a family member, stepped in to help care for her husband during his illness, as he was unable to look after himself.
She stated that Gerald was never motivated by money and lacked skill in paperwork, but he was effective in getting the job done and handling necessary tasks.
During cross-examination, the state pointed out several instances where Goines was disciplined for misconduct. Forcht asked Elyse if she knew about Goines’ disciplinaries, to which she answered “No.”
“You’re risking your life every minute to go into that kind of work,” Elyse said about Goines being an undercover police officer.
11:43 a.m. - The defense called Della Goines, the sister of Gerald Goines, to testify.
Della stated that Goines is her younger brother and that their family grew up in Michigan.
Della described Goines as a protector with a good heart, always eager to help others, noting his early involvement in the community.
She mentioned that Goines became interested in becoming a police officer at the age of 16 and recalled a moment when he shared this with their mother, who advised him to pray about it to see if it was truly his calling.
Della noted that her brother has been a part of the Houston Police Department since he was 18 years old and that today is his 61st birthday.
She characterized their relationship as close, emphasizing that they are friends who support each other.
Della described her brother as being a good father, a family man, a Godly man, and a good husband.
During a brief re-cross by the state, Manning asked if Della was aware of an inappropriate relationship Goines had with a coworker. She stated she did not know of that.
11:25 a.m. - The defense begins calling their witnesses to testify in Goines’ sentencing phase
The defense calls Crutcher, a Houston attorney, to the stand.
She stated that her husband purchased a motorcycle and met Goines eight years ago at an officer motorcycle event.
Crutcher said Goines was one of the founders of the motorcycle club, which frequently gave back to the community.
She noted that Goines was identified as the club’s President and his wife as the First Lady. The club held an annual leather and lace dance, during which Goines ensured the ladies felt appreciated and raised funds for breast cancer awareness.
Crutcher described Goines as a “man with a kind heart” and a “gentle giant.”
The state questioned Crutcher about the motorcycle organization and whether it helped Cedell Lovings, who was shot and paralyzed during the Harding Street raid.
Crutcher mentioned that Goines took a leave of absence from the organization six years ago but still attends events and supports the club when possible.
11:13 a.m. - Court goes on break
11:12 a.m. - The state rests calling witnesses in the sentencing phase
10:56 a.m. - Patricia Nicholas takes the stand
Patricia Nicholas, the sister of Rhogena Nicholas, testified during the sentencing phase.
She described Rhogena as a generous person who often helped feed her community.
Patricia noted that Rhogena adored her dogs, her husband, and her mother.
Becoming emotional, Patricia revealed that her husband died after Rhogena’s death, and she believes Rhogena’s murder was a significant factor in his passing.
Patricia said she nor her husband visited Rhogena in years due to the distance, but said they communicated often.
10:37 a.m. - Ryan Tuttle takes the stand
Ryan Tuttle, 41, is the son of Dennis Tuttle. He was 37 when his father was murdered.
Ryan testified about his relationship with his father, whom he called “Pops,” stating that he only spoke to him a couple of times a month and rarely visited due to his multiple businesses. He noted that his father also couldn’t visit him because of his illness.
Ryan described his father as a man who loved his wife, his dogs, and drawing.
Ryan stated that he learned about his father’s death from a news report. He mentioned that he would likely be fishing if his father were alive today. Ryan expressed disbelief that his father would have ever shot at officers, citing his father’s deep respect for them.
10:18 a.m. - The sentencing phase continues for Goines. Deacon, Otis Mallet Jr. continues his testimony
During the cross-examination of Mallet by defense attorney Secrest, the two engaged in a heated dispute as Secrest questioned him about his criminal history, specifically pointing out a 1995 arrest and conviction for selling crack cocaine.
When Secrest asked if he told officers he purchased marijuana to sell, Mallet responded, “Why would I tell the police some crazy sh** like that,” denying he ever made that a statement to the officers.
Mallet said he was sentenced to 10 years in prison when he pleaded guilty to the cocaine charge in 1995. He said he pleaded guilty because he was guilty then.