HOUSTON — Nearly two weeks after convicting former Houston police officer Gerald Goines of two counts of murder, jurors began deliberating his punishment Monday morning. They are deciding between a minimum of five years to a maximum of life in prison for each conviction.
Goines, 61, led the botched drug raid that led to the 2019 shooting deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. The couple and their dog were gunned down when officers burst into their Houston home without knocking. Four officers, including Goines, were shot and wounded.
While Goines didn't fire the shots that killed Tuttle and Nicholas, he lied to get the no-knock warrant that prosecutors said falsely portrayed the couple as dangerous drug dealers. Only a small amount of cocaine and weed were found in their home.
The defense presented closing arguments on Thursday, Oct. 4. The prosecutors took their turn but were interrupted when Goines had an apparent medical emergency and the court was adjourned.
"I think that these health issues will definitely impact the jury in as much as they did witness some portions of it," KHOU 11 legal analyst Carmen Roe said. "Whether or not that translates into a change in what they would ultimately give him as a punishment I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
Before jurors began deliberating, prosecutors urged them not to be manipulated and reminded them that Goines "used his police badge to take a life and that you can use your jury badge to give life," meaning a life sentence.
Former Houston mayor's widow, victims' relatives from both sides testify in sentencing phase
The witnesses in the sentencing phase last week included Tuttle's son Ryan who said his dad "had a hard life." He testified that Tuttle was injured in the Navy and medically discharged but suffered from pain for the rest of his life.
Tuttle said when he first heard about the Harding Street shooting on the news, he didn't think it could be his dad's house because it was a drug raid and his father was "pro-police."
“The idea that he was laughing about shooting officers is absurd," Ryan said. “He was acting in what he believed was self-defense."
He said his dad would "be hurt" by how the defense portrayed him in the trial.
Nicholas's sister-in-law also took the stand. Patricia Nicholas described "Reggie" [Rhogena] as a "very caring person."
“It was just devastating to know she’s not here anymore," she testified.
Nicholas said her husband, the victim's brother, died three years after the deadly raid.
“The biggest burden on his life was knowing his sister was murdered for no reason," Nicholas said.
Goines' daughter April testified that he was a good father who had a great relationship with his grandkids. The daughter broke down in tears when she told jurors that her 5-year-old son had been asking about his granddad.
"They love their papa," she said.
The defense called Goines' older sister to the stand who testified her brother had a good heart and became interested in law enforcement as a teenager. He was 18 when he joined HPD.
“He was excited, extremely excited," Della Goines said. “He dedicated his life to serving the public.”
The widow of former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier also testified for the defense. Elyse Lanier said Goines lived with them 20 years ago when the mayor had a knee replacement. She said the two men had a unique bond.
“Gerald is the best at getting anything done," Lanier said. "He’s like a gentle giant.”
Lanier said she was unaware that Goines was disciplined for two previous shootings. She said nothing would change her opinion about him.
“The defense is all about mitigation. It’s all about letting this jury know that Goines was a good son, that he’s been a loving friend and that he’s been supportive in his community so that they hope they will give him a lesser sentence as a result," KHOU 11 legal analyst Carmen Roe said.