Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines has been convicted of murder for his role in a deadly 2019 no-knock drug raid that resulted in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. Goines falsified an affidavit to justify the raid, falsely claiming he had purchased heroin from the couple’s home.
Tuttle, a Navy veteran, fired at officers, believing he was defending his home from criminals. The resulting shootout killed both Tuttle and Nicholas. Prosecutors argued that Goines’ lies directly caused their deaths, with no significant drugs found at the scene. Goines faces life in prison and federal civil rights charges for his role in falsifying the search warrant.
Initially praised by the Houston Police Department, Goines’ role in the raid has since sparked outrage. The trial highlighted the dangers of no-knock raids and prompted widespread scrutiny of law enforcement practices in Houston. This case has reignited debate over the use of aggressive police tactics and the reliability of search warrant affidavits.
In addition to the murder conviction, Goines now faces federal charges for civil rights violations due to the falsified search warrant. The sentencing phase has begun, and he could face life in prison.
