Harding Street raid trial: Gerald Goines found guilty of murders in 2019 raid
Gerald Goines found guilty of felony murder
In a case we've been following for five years, jurors have found former Houston police narcotics officer Gerald Goines guilty of two counts of felony murder. FOX 26's Damali Keith is at Harris County criminal courthouse where the former officer learned his fate.
HOUSTON - Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines has been found guilty in the murders of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas in the 2019 drug raid on Harding Street.
After deliberating for about seven hours on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, jurors found the ex-HPD narcotics officer guilty of two counts of Felony Murder for the deaths of Nicholas and Tuttle in their own home in 2019.
Gerald Goines
Goines appears to say a silent prayer as Judge Veronica Nelson reads the verdict. "We the jury find the defendant Gerald Goines guilty of Felony Murder as charged," Judge Nelson announced.
Then Goines appears to mouth 'wow'.
Goines stood trial for felony murder related to a botched drug raid that resulted in the deaths of the two in 2019. After more than two weeks of testimony, closing arguments were presented on Tuesday, marking the final opportunity for attorneys to persuade the jury.
The punishment phase for the trial will begin on Thursday at 9 a.m.
Prosecutors accused Goines of misleading a judge to secure a no-knock search warrant for the home of Tuttle and Nicholas, claiming that black tar heroin was being sold there. They argued that Goines falsely stated a confidential informant had purchased drugs from the couple's residence. However, he later admitted to having no informant and conducting the operation himself.
The deadly raid ended the lives of not only Nicholas and Tuttle, but also ended the career of the veteran officer, who could now spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Goines is convicted of Felony Murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, after lying to a judge to secure a drug search warrant for the couple's Harding Street home.
Judge Gordon Marcum II testified Goines told him he watched a confidential informant buy heroin from the house on Harding Street, and he was told the man at the house had a 9mm gun in his waistband.
Prosecutors say there was not only no informant and no drug deal, they say Goines never even investigated the home on Harding Street before barging in with a narcotics team in 2019, serving a warrant that quickly turned deadly.
RELATED: Harding Street trial: Sergeant accused of wearing body-camera during raid called to court
Jurors clearly believed two weeks of testimony put on by prosecutors, saying if not for that warrant no one would have died.
The former Houston Police officer said HPD Squad 15 Narcotics Sgt. Clemente Reyna was wearing a personal, non-HPD issued, body camera when they stormed into the Harding Street home back on January 28, 2019.
Former HPD Narcotics Officer Steven Bryan was on the stand and was asked if he or any member of Squad 15 wore a body camera during the deadly 2019 Harding Street raid that left homeowners Nicholas and Tuttle shot to death. Four officers were also shot and survived. Officer Cedell Lovings was left paralyzed.
Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nichola
Bryant said Reyna may have been wearing a personal, non-HPD issued body cam, but when Reyna was called to court, outside the presence of the jury, his attorney said he would only answer if granted immunity by the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Near the beginning of Bryant's testimony, his words were chilling but accurate. "It sounded like a war in there." Bryant testified as jurors watched surveillance video of HPD Narcotics Squad 15 piling out of a van on Harding Street and rushing into a home with AR-15's and shotguns in hand.
In contrast, Goines' defense attorneys contend that the couple's deaths were not the result of an invalid warrant but rather due to their own actions. They pointed out that Tuttle shot four officers, who were not wearing body armor, during the raid, leaving one officer paralyzed. This tragic incident occurred in a southeast Houston home on Harding Street.
The prosecution emphasized Goines' responsibility, arguing, "You can hate Darryl. You don't have to like false statements, and he can be not guilty of murder. But for Gerald Goines, would any of this have happened? And the answer is no." They assert that his actions led to the forced entry into the residence, ultimately causing the deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas.
MORE FROM TRIAL: Officer breaks down in court, reveals new details about body cam
During the punishment phase, a lot more evidence could be presented against Goines, including the dozens and dozens of drug cases connected to him that were looked into and many were overturned by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, including a charge against George Floyd in a case where Goines arrested Floyd back in 2004.
Goines had been out of jail on bond but once found guilty, deputies moved in to take him into custody. There was a small, heated exchange as Defense Attorney Mac Secrest asked them to wait until the jury left the courtroom.
Tuttle and Nicholas' loved ones hugged one another after the verdict was read.
Harris County Commissioner Ellis issued the following statement after the verdict:
"Justice for Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas was served today, but equal justice for all people will remain elusive in Harris County until we advance reforms that put an end to no-knock warrants, reduce economic and racial disparities, and increase civilian oversight of law enforcement. This isn’t just about bad apples—it’s about an unjust system. I am committed to working with other elected leaders to advance equal justice, protect communities, and increase accountability throughout the criminal legal system."