Retired Houston Cop Charged w/ Murder For Killing Couple in "Botched" Drug Raid

[SeanTX]

They still keep calling this a "shootout" when it appears quite obvious these cops shot each other while committing their home invasion :


https://www.khou.com/article/news/cr...5-354b4202525e

Former HPD officer Gerald Goines charged with murder in deadly Harding Street raid
The embattled Houston police officer who led a deadly no-knock raid last January faces two murder charges in the deaths of Dennis
Published: 1:14 PM CDT August 23, 2019
Updated: 1:59 PM CDT August 23, 2019

HOUSTON — Gerald Goines, the ex-Houston police officer who led the controversial no-knock raid on Harding Street, has been charged with two counts of murder, his attorney told KHOU 11 News Investigates reporter Jeremy Rogalski.

Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were shot to death in the Jan. 28 raid in southeast Houston.

Goines and four other officers were injured in the shootout.

“We have not seen a case like this in Houston. I have not seen a case like this in 30 plus years of practicing law," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said.

Former Officer Steven Bryant, who was involved with the Harding Street warrant, is charged with tampering with a government document.

Ogg said Goines and Bryant have been ordered to surrender by 3 p.m. Friday.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo accused Gerald Goines of lying about a drug buy on a search warrant affidavit to justify the deadly no-knock raid.

In the Harding Street warrant, Goines claimed a confidential informant bought heroin at the home of Tuttle and Nicholas the night before the raid. He claimed the informant saw a lot more heroin and a 9mm pistol inside the home.

In a search of the home after the shootout, officers didn't find any heroin or 9mm pistol.

The informants later told investigators they never bought drugs from Harding Street.

snip

At one point, the DA's office threatened legal action against HPD if it didn't turn over documents related to the deadly raid. The documents involved information on all HPD informants dating back five years ago to now.

The two agencies eventually reached an agreement for the remaining records to be provided.

The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into the raid and Harris County.

Bryant and Goines were relieved of duty and later allowed to retire.

[jkr]

They still keep calling this a "shootout" when it appears quite obvious these cops shot each other while committing their home invasion :


https://www.khou.com/article/news/cr...5-354b4202525e

Dennis Tuttle

[Schifference]

No knock raids for civilians Goines and Bryant have been ordered to surrender by 3 p.m. Friday.

[SeanTX]

No knock raids for civilians Goines and Bryant have been ordered to surrender by 3 p.m. Friday.

Nice how murdering/dirty cops are allowed to turn themselves in, sometimes with days of advanced notice

It looks like Goines will be the fall guy for this --

no charges for the SWAT officer who is believed to have put two "anchor shots" into Dennis Tuttle as he lay dying over an hour later

[Schifference]

Nice how murdering/dirty cops are allowed to turn themselves in, sometimes with days of advanced notice

Yes. I have argued before if they want to question a person they should just make it known to the person that they are wanted for questioning and see what happens. Better than showing up at wrong address and killing people and pets.

[Schifference]

Nice how murdering/dirty cops are allowed to turn themselves in, sometimes with days of advanced notice

It looks like Goines will be the fall guy for this --

no charges for the SWAT officer who is believed to have put two "anchor shots" into Dennis Tuttle as he lay dying over an hour later

These two people are wanted for murder. Would cops ask a civilian to turn themself in for murder?

[specsaregood]

Nice how murdering/dirty cops are allowed to turn themselves in, sometimes with days of advanced notice

Don't forget that official policy encourages officers to NOT answer any questions for at least 24 hours after a shooting in order to get the memories straight in their head.

[Schifference]

Don't forget that official policy encourages officers to NOT answer any questions for at least 24 hours after a shooting in order to get the memories straight in their head.

The trauma these people endure just for doing their job is immense.

[SeanTX]

I wonder if the police union will leave these up now ?

[Suzanimal]

Bryant and Goines were relieved of duty and later allowed to retire.

I'm assuming so they get their benefits.

[sparebulb]

Will the governor pardon them before or after his next election?

Better not take any chances, The Texican should get his pardon petition started ASAP.

[SeanTX]

Federal charges now for two of the cops, and for a neighbor who called in a false tip claiming her daughter had been using drugs in the raided home.

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/11/fbi...no-knock-raid/

FBI Arrests Houston Officers in Fall-out of Harding Street No-Knock Raid
Ammoland Inc. Posted on November 21, 2019 by Dean Weingarten


U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Federal investigation into the no-knock raid on 1815 Harding Street in Houston Texas, on January 28th, 2019, where the married couple, Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were killed in their home, has resulted in indictments and arrests for three people. Those three are former officers Gerald M. Goines, 55, Seven M. Bryant, 46, and neighbor Patricia Ann Garcia, 53.

snip

In August, the Harris County Prosecutor Charged Goines and Bryant with crimes. They were arrested and released on bond. Now, both have been charged and arrested on the federal charges, and the neighbor across the street, Patricia Ann Garcia, has been arrested on federal charges. From justice.gov:

A federal grand jury returned the nine count indictment Nov. 14 against Gerald M. Goines, 55, and Steven M. Bryant, 46, both former Houston Police Department (HPD) officers. Also charged is Patricia Ann Garcia, 53. All are residents of Houston. The indictment was unsealed this morning as authorities took all three into custody. They are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena H. Palermo at 2 p.m. central time.

Former officer Goines is charged with two counts of depriving victims of their Constitutional rights against unreasonable searches. According to HPD Chief Alcevdo, the charges are under Title 18 U.S.C. 242, deprivation of rights under color of authority.

Both Goines and former officer Bryant are also charged with obstructing justice by falsifying records; Goines for false statements in his offense report and tactical plan connected with the search warrant, and Bryant for false statements in a supplemental report, after the raid was conducted. There are three more obstruction charges against Goines for statements after the raid. Goines faces sentences of 20 years to life. Bryant faces up to 20 years on the falsification of records charge.


Garcia is charged with conveying false information. Cheif Alcevedo says she was the neighbor across the street from 7815 Harding Street.

The charges against Garcia allege she conveyed false information by making several fake 911 calls. Specifically, on Jan. 8, she allegedly made several calls claiming her daughter was inside the Harding Street location. According to the indictment, Garcia added that the residents of the home were addicts and drug dealers and that they had guns – including machine guns – inside the home. The charges allege none of Garcia’s claims were true.

[jmdrake]

They still keep calling this a "shootout" when it appears quite obvious these cops shot each other while committing their home invasion :


https://www.khou.com/article/news/cr...5-354b4202525e

The victims.



The perps.



The question. Will the conservative white jurors who typically buy the "I believe the police officer was really in fear for his life" when it's a black man killed in a no-knock raid by a white cop feel the same way when the roles are reversed? They didn't when it was the Somalian cop who shot the white Australian tourist because he hear a gunshot and "feared for his life" and fired blindly through his car door. They convicted him.

[Schifference]

Policing needs to evolve. There should be no reason a diplomatic person couldn't present the slew of evidence via text, phone, or whatever means. Tell the suspect they are wanted and this is why. Tell them their house is under surveillance, we know you are at xyz location right now and are prepared to take you down. We wanted to give you this opportunity to surrender willingly so as to not exacerbate violence and collateral damage. There is no need to break down doors or utilize force or violence. Option one should be to contact suspect and ask them to surrender. The truth is this should be our right and their responsibility. You have the right to surrender peacefully.

Reform the methodology of policing. It doesn't matter if a person is suspected of being the most terrible criminal ever, there is no need to inflict violence and damage when a simple phone call and reason would render a better outcome.

[acptulsa]

Policing needs to evolve. There should be no reason a diplomatic person couldn't present the slew of evidence via text, phone, or whatever means. Tell the suspect they are wanted and this is why. Tell them their house is under surveillance, we know you are at xyz location right now and are prepared to take you down. We wanted to give you this opportunity to surrender willingly so as to not exacerbate violence and collateral damage. There is no need to break down doors or utilize force or violence. Option one should be to contact suspect and ask them to surrender. The truth is this should be our right and their responsibility. You have the right to surrender peacefully.

Reform the methodology of policing. It doesn't matter if a person is suspected of being the most terrible criminal ever, there is no need to inflict violence and damage when a simple phone call and reason would render a better outcome.

Are you trying to take all the fun out of being a tyrant?

[pcosmar]

Policing needs to evolve.

Wrong..

It needs to END..
Liberty does not need Controllers
Freedom does not need Enforcers

Enforcers of Control,,or Control Enforcers, are wholly unnecessary in a free society.

The very concept is repugnant.

[Schifference]

Wrong..

It needs to END..
Liberty does not need Controllers
Freedom does not need Enforcers

Enforcers of Control,,or Control Enforcers, are wholly unnecessary in a free society.

The very concept is repugnant.

Evolving is more possible than ending.

[pcosmar]

Evolving is more possible than ending.

that concerns me too,,

Watching the "evolution" for 40 years.

[pcosmar]

Evolving is more possible than ending.

Ending would be better.. The total rejection of Authoritarianism..

police are an authoritarian concept and only necessary to an Authoritarian Society.

[Stratovarious]

They still keep calling this a "shootout" when it appears quite obvious these cops shot each other while committing their home invasion :


https://www.khou.com/article/news/cr...5-354b4202525e

You cannot give Reputation to the same post twice.

[Stratovarious]

The trauma these people endure just for doing their job is immense.

Killing is every cop's duty, especially if they can fabricate enough evidence to make them look like
store bought heroes.

[tebowlives]

Federal charges now for two of the cops, and for a neighbor who called in a false tip claiming her daughter had been using drugs in the raided home.

https://www.ammoland.com/2019/11/fbi...no-knock-raid/

I wonder what the reasoning behind calling in the fake tip? The person calling it in was paid off or owed LEO a favor?

[SeanTX]

It probably won't happen, but if it did it would be well-deserved :

https://m.chron.com/news/houston-tex...id=mobbreaking

Prosecutors could seek death penalty for Houston officer in botched drug raid
Gabrielle Banks|November 21, 2019

Former HPD officer Gerald Goines in court before turning himself in, August 23, 2019, in Houston. He was involved in the botched drug raid. Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle


Former HPD officer Gerald Goines in court before turning himself in, August 23, 2019, in Houston. He was involved in the botched drug raid.

The Houston narcotics officer at the center of a botched raid has been charged under a federal law that allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty if they can show the deadly search he planned was “unreasonable, unnecessary and unprovoked.”

Among seven federal criminal charges in his indictment, Gerald Goines is accused of willfully violating the constitutional rights of homeowners Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle, who were killed in the Jan. 28 raid that turned into a gun battle. If the raid happened “under color of law,” prosecutors could ask the court to consider the death penalty, according to federal law.

[Occam's Banana]

A Dozen Cops Have Been Charged After a No-Knock Raid Killed a Couple and Their Dog
https://www.vice.com/en/article/93w8...-and-their-dog
Trone Dows (26 January 2021)

The 2019 incident in Houston kicked off an investigation leading to murder charges and the discovery of an elaborate scheme to steal overtime pay.

When a Houston couple and their dog were killed during a botched no-knock drug raid in 2019, the incident kicked off an investigation leading to murder charges and the discovery of an elaborate scheme to steal overtime pay—for a total of 12 officers now indicted.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Monday that Houston PD officer Felipe Gallegos has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of 59-year-old Dennis Tuttle and his wife, 58-year-old Rhogena Nicholas, killed in a January 2019 drug raid on their home. The couple’s dog was also killed, and several officers were shot in the chaos. Gallegos is the second officer, after officer Gerald Goines in 2019, to be charged with the deaths of the couple. If convicted, Gallegos could be sentenced to life in prison.

Eight other members of the HPD were indicted Monday, including five active officers and three retired officers who were indicted on other charges last year, charged in connection to a scheme to falsify overtime hours, which was discovered during the investigation of the deadly raid. The overtime scheme dates back to at least 2017, according to NPR affiliate Houston Public Media. The officers have been charged with tampering with government records, theft by a public servant, and first- and second-degree charges of engaging in organized crime. An additional officer was charged with misapplication of fiduciary property in July 2020.

“The consequences of corruption are that two innocent people and their dog were shot to death in their home by police,” Ogg said during a press conference Monday. “Four officers were shot, one paralyzed, and now all of them will face jurors who will determine their fate.”

On January 28, 2019, Houston police officers executed a no-knock warrant on the Tuttle residence after officer Goines claimed to have received a tip that the couple was selling heroin from their home. As the officers barged into the home, they were met with gunfire. The officers returned fire, killing the couple and their dog. Goines was one of five officers injured during the raid.

In February 2019, an internal Houston Police Department investigation found that Goines fabricated the details of the lead that confirmed the couple was selling drugs in order to obtain a no-knock warrant from a judge. Further investigation of the narcotics unit revealed the scheme to falsely secure overtime pay. A total of 12 police officers have been indicted in connection to the corruption investigation, according to Ogg.

Since May 2019, prosecutors with the DA’s office have been reviewing about 14,000 cases tied to the disgraced narcotics unit. Ogg told reporters that the two-year investigation of the corruption case will be a game-changer for how police-related prosecutions are handled in Houston and across the country.

“We’re looking at the cases we filed, how we filed them, and how they’re handled, in a new light,” Ogg said. “There will be more to come on cases that are pending, on past convictions and possible exonerations.”

The Houston Police Department did not immediately return VICE News’ request for comment, but HPD Police Chief Art Acevedo advised that officer Gallegos wasn’t directly involved in the corruption that led to the deaths of the couple, implying that he should face less-severe charges.

“I have said many times that the other officers involved in the incident, including the officer, indicted today, had no involvement in obtaining the warrant and responded appropriately to the deadly threat posed to them during its service,” he said in a statement Monday. “Nonetheless, I respect the grand jury process and hope this case will go to trial as soon as possible.”

[sparebulb]

This is encouraging, but this is still a long, long way from convictions.

It is heart warming to see the chief pig lay out a defense for most of those involved.

He would do the same for you. /s

The pre-woke Texican would have started a gofundme for these fine officers.