Trial opening for former Houston officer charged with murder after deadly raid
It’s been more than five years since a Houston couple were killed after officers burst into their home during a drug raid and opened fire, believing they were dangerous heroin dealers.
HOUSTON — It’s been more than five years since a Houston couple were killed after officers burst into their home during a drug raid and opened fire, believing they were dangerous heroin dealers.
Investigators later said they only found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the house in Texas and accused Gerald Goines, the officer who led January 2019 drug raid, of lying about the couple to obtain a search warrant, including making up a confidential informant who had supposedly bought drugs at the home. The probe into the drug raid also brought forth allegations of systemic corruption within the police department’s narcotics unit.
Goines, 59, was later indicted on two counts of murder in connection with the couple’s death. On Monday, opening statements were set to be held in Goines’ murder trial in a Houston courtroom.
Goines has pleaded not guilty to two felony murder counts in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, 59, and his wife Rhogena Nicholas, 58.
Both prosecutors and Goines’ lawyers declined to comment ahead of opening statements, citing a gag order in the case.
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