HOUSTON, Texas – Gerald Goines, the former Houston Police Department narcotics officer found guilty of murder in the Harding Street drug raid, entered the courtroom in shackles with a Bible in hand for the final phase of his sentencing on Monday morning.
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On Thursday, the sentencing phase was unexpectedly interrupted when Goines experienced a medical emergency during the prosecution’s closing arguments.
After being convicted on two counts of felony murder for his role in the 2019 Harding Street raid that resulted in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog, the jury is now deliberating on an appropriate sentence.
This deliberation was delayed last week, as the court awaited a medical evaluation for Goines, who was taken out of the courtroom and transported to the hospital.
The prosecution, led by Tanisha Manning and Keaton Forcht, has focused on the severity of Goines’s actions, underlining the falsified information that led to the deadly raid. They are arguing for a life sentence, which they believe reflects the serious nature of police misconduct and corruption.
On Monday, Manning began her closing arguments for the second time.
“This is the worst case of badge abuse that Harris County has ever seen,” she said. “2019 is when he was exposed for the monster we always knew he was.”
While Manning began nailing him down, Goines, sat silently, and his expression remained unreadable.
“Don’t be manipulated,” she said. “A corrupt cop uses his badge to bastardize the law, preying on the very people he’s supposed to protect.”
Manning spoke for about 15 minutes before passing the final arguments to her partner Forcht who asked the jury for a life sentence for Goines.
“Anything less than a life sentence gives Goines hope, the same hope that he took from those two families in 2019,” he said.
The defense, represented by Nicole Deborde and George Secrest, advocates leniency.
During her closing arguments, Deborde emphasized Goines’s three decades of service as a narcotics officer, highlighting his commitment to protecting the community from drugs and firearms. She noted that Goines did not fire a weapon during the raid and was instead shot while assisting a fellow officer.
Deborde argued that Goines has already suffered significant reputational and health damage, and a 10-year sentence would effectively be a death sentence for the 60-year-old, proposing that five years would be sufficient.
The jury’s decision, which could range from five years to life in prison, will likely be decided Monday.
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