HOUSTON – The jury deliberated for more than 10 hours before sentencing Gerald Goines, the former Houston Police Department officer, to 60 years in prison.
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Goines, who was found guilty of two counts of felony murder for his involvement in the 2019 Harding Street raid that led to the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog was sentenced Tuesday shortly after noon.
Goines received concurrent 60-year sentences for the deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas, with eligibility for parole in 30 years and a potential fine of up to $10,000.
As Judge Veronica Nelson delivered the sentencing, Goines, held in an inmate room at the courthouse, showed little emotion, simply clasping his hands and bowing his head.
Before being taken to the holding room, his attorney, George Mac Secrest, whispered to him as deputies escorted him out of the courtroom.
Goines is set to be transferred to the Texas Department of Corrections later Tuesday, following an impact statement from Tuttle’s son, Ryan.
Ryan took the stand for the final time, reading a statement from both his family and Nicholas’s family.
He expressed hope that Goines’ sentence would serve as a warning to public servants who break the law.
Ryan also criticized former HPD Chief Art Acevedo, demanding a public apology for accusing Tuttle and Nicholas of drug dealing.
“We expect that to happen swiftly. Can someone deliver that message to him,” Ryan stated.
In a final appeal to Goines, Ryan urged him to speak up and provide answers to their families, emphasizing that now is the time.
“Our family never wavered in our trust in God’s plan to bring justice and closure to the Tuttle and Nicholas families. We ask for continued guidance as our focus is to restore Dennis’ and Reggie’s reputations by first asking Governor Abbott, former Police Chief Acevado, and Officer Gamaldi to make a public apology to the Tuttle and Nicholas families and, secondly, to publicly retract their unfounded and derogatory comments shortly after the murder of our relatives,” The Tuttle and Nicholas sent a statement to KPRC 2 Investigates after the sentencing.
Goines’s case has highlighted significant issues within law enforcement, particularly the use of no-knock warrants.
The prosecution, led by Tanisha Manning and Keaton Forcht, argued for a life sentence due to Goines’ actions.
“I don’t have much to say... We’re certainly appreciative of the jury... their dedication, their hard work. They put their time and their heart into this, and I’ll let the verdict speak for itself,” Forcht said.
During closing arguments in the sentencing phase, Manning called this trial the worst case of badge abuse in Harris County history, adding Goines was a corrupt officer who betrayed the public’s trust.
“Gerald Goines had a pattern of behavior. Our concern was that the jury did not get sidetracked by any sort of behavior. So, we’ll never know whether that was a legitimate medical concern or whether or not that was more of the scheme from Gerald Goines. The bottom line is, we didn’t want the jury distracted by that, which is why we didn’t go into it at all. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. The facts and the evidence in this case are what matters. And that’s what we wanted the jury to focus on and remain focused on,” Manning said.
After the sentencing, Manning said that Goines targeted people in poor parts of Houston because he knew they would not be able to fight the police in court.
“You didn’t see this happening in River Oaks or West University,” Manning said. “Goines preyed on predominantly poor communities who may or may not have the resources to fight back — but the people in those neighborhoods deserve the same protections that everyone else has.”
Manning and Forcht noted that investigators and prosecutors searched continually for the motive behind what Goines did — why he chose them and set in motion the series of events that led to their deaths.
“We don’t have to prove a motive — we only have to prove who is responsible — but we did still try to find the motive for what happened,” Forcht said. “The only person who really knows the motive has a Fifth Amendment right to not let us know what it is, and we respect his constitutional rights.”
Goines’ attorneys did not speak after the sentencing but did say they have already filed an appeal.
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