What began as a Texas cop's false claim spiraled into a deadly raid, leaving a Houston couple and their dog dead, and exposing the deep-rooted corruption in the city's narcotics unit.
Gerald Goines, a now-retired Texas police officer, lied to obtain a "no knock" search warrant before fatally gunning down a married couple in their home, leading to his 60-year prison sentence on Tuesday and exposing deep corruption in the department's narcotics unit.
Goines, 60, had been free on bond since he was charged in the January 2019 killings of Dennis Tuttle, 59, and Rhogene Nicholas, 58, as well as their dog, after he busted into their home using a "no knock" warrant that didn't require officers to announce themselves prior to entering a home.
Ryan Tuttle was present during the sentencing, and he testified on the witness stand with a framed photograph of his father and stepmother.
He told the court they were "victims of severe systematic failure in police work, particularly with the supervision of Gerald Goines," adding:
"My father and my stepmother were not involved in any drug dealing. They were good people. They did not deserve this," he said while staring directly at Goines.
Prosecutors allege Goines falsely claimed an informant had bought heroin at the couple's home from a man with a gun, prompting the violent confrontation in which the couple was killed and four officers, including Goines, were shot and wounded, and a fifth was injured, according to WTOP.
Two witnesses, a fellow officer and the judge who signed the warrant, stated the raid would have never happened if Goines had told the truth.
Goines was among a dozen officers tied to the narcotics squad who were indicted on other charges.
His defense attorney, Nicole DeBorde, asked the judge to sentence Goines to the minimum of five years, claiming Goines had dedicated his life to keeping drugs off the streets.
"Our community is safer with someone like Gerald, with the heart to serve and the heart to care," she said.
Meanwhile, prosecutors asked for life in prison, explaining to jurors that Goines had reportedly preyed upon people he was meant to protect with a yearslong pattern of corruption.
His defense lawyers intend to appeal the verdict, as DeBorde told reporters following the sentencing:
"We filed our notice of appeal. We think we have some excellent appellate issues. We still don't believe legally that he is guilty of the crime of felony murder, and we look forward to having the appellate courts review this."
The families of Tuttle and Nicholas have filed civil rights lawsuits against the former cop. They released a statement expressing their gratitude following Goines' convictions:
"The jury saw this case for what it was: vicious murders by corrupt police, an epic cover-up attempt, and a measure of justice, at least with Goines."
