HOUSTON, Texas – As the sentencing phase in the trial of former Houston Police Department officer Gerald Goines nears a close, both the prosecution and defense prepare to deliver their final arguments.
The jury, which convicted Goines on two counts of felony murder for his role in the 2019 Harding Street raid, will soon deliberate on his sentence.
Prosecutors Tanisha Manning and Keaton Forcht are expected to emphasize the gravity of Goines’s actions, highlighting the falsified information that led to the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog. They may argue for a sentence that reflects the seriousness of police misconduct and corruption.
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
On the other hand, defense attorneys Nicole Deborde and George Secrest are likely to advocate leniency. They have consistently portrayed Goines as a scapegoat amid broader allegations of corruption within the HPD narcotics division. The defense has suggested that Tuttle’s and Nicholas’s actions during the raid contributed to the tragic outcome.
The jury’s decision on Goines’s sentence could range from five years to up to life in prison.
As both sides will present their closing statements, emotional testimonies were heard for two days during the sentencing phase. The court heard from Goines’ church community, wife and family members, and Tuttle and Nicholas’s family.
11:36 a.m. - Court is adjourned for the day after Goines’ medical episode
10:47 a.m. - The state begins closing arguments in sentencing phase
During the prosecution’s closing arguments in the sentencing phase, Goines appeared to experience a medical episode. He was escorted out of the courtroom by several officers while breathing heavily.
The court is on recess until Goines receives a medical evaluation, as stated by the presiding judge. The impact on the sentencing phase remains uncertain.
Goines was eventually escorted out of the Harris County Criminal Courthouse by officers in an ambulance. He appeared slumped over with wires attached to his chest.
10:16 a.m. - The defense begins closing arguments
Nicole Deborde, representing Gerald Goines from the beginning of the case, began her closing arguments by acknowledging the difficulty faced by her team. She criticized the credibility of the confidential informant (CI) who testified during sentencing, suggesting the CI was under the influence and was the only one the state could present against Goines. Deborde urged the jury to “look into the heart of the person sitting here today.”
She highlighted the challenges Goines faced as a narcotics officer, emphasizing his duty to protect the community from drugs and guns. “For thirty years, Goines received outstanding evaluations and risked his life to keep drug dealers off the streets, aiming to protect local teens.”
Despite the raid’s shootout, Deborde pointed out that Goines did not fire his weapon. Instead, he moved to assist a fellow officer and was shot in the face. She argued that the community is safer with someone like Goines, who has “a heart to serve and a heart to care.”
Deborde concluded by addressing Goines’s deteriorating health, stating that a 10-year sentence would effectively be a death sentence for the 60-year-old. She asserted that his reputation and health are already destroyed, questioning what remains of him. She argued that five years in prison would be sufficient.