Update: Murder Trial of Former Houston Police Officer Gerald Goines Started September 9, 2024
On September 9, 2024, the murder trial of Gerald Goines was started in Houston, Texas, more than five years after the killings. The former Houston Police officer, under cover officer and narcotics squad leader was charged with the murders of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nickolas.
On January 28, 2019, undercover Houston drug police raided the residence of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, both 58 years old. Both of them and their dog were killed. The raid was caused because a neighbor lied about the Tuttles and Officer Gerald Goines lied on an affidavit to obtain a no-knock warrant. From Houstonpublicmedia.org:
During the hearing on Monday, Goines’ defense team acknowledged that the former officer had fabricated a story about a confidential informant purchasing heroin from the couple’s home, but claimed that the murder charges were excessive — “a case of overcharging,” according to attorney Nicole Deborde Hochglaube, who’s representing Goines.
After opening statements, prosecutors questioned Sarah Sanchez, who had lived on Harding Street during the incident and was close with both Tuttle and Nicholas.
Prosecutors questioned Sanchez about Patricia Garcia, a neighbor who made three 911 phone calls on the evening of Jan. 8, 2019, in which she told police that her daughter was doing heroin inside the couple’s home and that the couple were drug dealers and had guns inside their home.
Investigators eventually found that Garcia had no daughter and that her other claims were also false. She was the first person to be sentenced in connection with the deadly raid in June 2021.
“She was always fighting with Rhogena, always jealous of Rhogena,” Sanchez said during Monday’s hearing. “She was very hateful.”
One of the reasons the cover-up of the lies which led up to the raid fell apart, may be because officer Goines was wounded in the neck, and could not talk in the hospital. Members of the Narcotics squad which Goines led, were forbidden form communicating with each other while the raid was being investigated. Some of the members of the squad had been in the Narcotics division for 20 years or more.
The murder charges against Goines are based on Texas statute Sec. 19.02. (b) (3):
(3) commits or attempts to commit a felony, other than manslaughter, and in the course of and in furtherance of the commission or attempt, or in immediate flight from the commission or attempt, the person commits or attempts to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of an individual;
The prosecution theory is: lying to procure a no-knock warrant, then participating in the no-knock raid is sufficient to meet the standards of the statute.
According to the defense, as recounted in a Reason.com article, Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, were responsible for their own deaths by resisting the no-knock raid, after their door was broken down and their dog was shot and killed.
The raid and investigation were covered extensively on AmmoLand. Video coverage from a body camera, a neighbor’s surveillance camera, and cell phone video were important in the investigation.
In addition to the Texas state charges, Goines faces federal charges. Civil lawsuits are ongoing.
Analysis: The digital age is making it much harder to cover up corruption, at least for individual officers and small units.
©2024 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Source: http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2024/09/update-murder-trial-of-former-houston.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.