By TopTrendReportTv
April 5, 2024
A former Houston police officer finds himself once again facing murder charges stemming from a notorious 2019 drug raid that ended in tragedy, with a couple losing their lives and exposing deep-seated corruption within the department's narcotics unit.Gerald Goines, previously indicted on murder charges, saw those charges dismissed by a judge just a week before a grand jury issued a fresh indictment on Wednesday.
This time, Goines faces two felony murder counts in connection to the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, 59, and Rhogena Nicholas, 58, in January 2019. Prosecutors allege that Goines fabricated information to obtain a search warrant, falsely portraying the couple as dangerous drug dealers, which resulted in a deadly confrontation where Tuttle, Nicholas, and their pet dog were fatally shot. The subsequent search revealed only minimal amounts of drugs in the residence, contradicting Goines' claims. Moreover, five officers, including Goines himself, were injured during the raid.Following the dismissal of the initial murder indictments, Goines maintained his innocence, with his legal team arguing flaws in the indictment process.
Now, with the new indictments, Goines is set to face trial in June, alongside federal charges related to the case.Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg expressed confidence in bringing Goines to justice, emphasizing the importance of giving a voice to the victims. Meanwhile, Mike Doyle, representing Nicholas' family, highlighted their relentless pursuit of justice, reflected in their federal civil rights lawsuit.
The fallout from the botched raid has been significant, with a dozen officers from the narcotics squad, including Goines, facing various charges following a corruption investigation. Prosecutors have undertaken a comprehensive review of cases handled by the narcotics unit, leading to the overturning of 22 convictions associated with Goines.
One particularly notable case linked to Goines is the 2004 drug arrest of George Floyd in Houston. Despite calls for a posthumous pardon following Floyd's death in 2020, a Texas board declined the request in 2022, underscoring the enduring impact of Goines' actions on the lives of those he encountered.
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