Houston Harding Street raid: Hearing in Gerald Goines' motion for new trial
HOUSTON - An evidentiary hearing is set for Wednesday in Gerald Goines' motion for a new trial after the former Houston police officer was convicted of murder in the deaths of a couple killed during the botched Harding Street raid.
On October 8, Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars in the deaths of Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle during a no-knock raid in 2019.
MORE: Former HPD officer Gerald Goines sentenced to 60 years in prison
Why did Gerald Goines request a new trial?
Goines filed a motion for a new trial in November, claiming newly discovered and intentionally withheld evidence – namely Tuttle’s cell phone.
According to the motion, "On October 25, 2024, the plaintiffs in the federal civil case about this incident filed a trial exhibits list, disclosing to the public, and thereby to Mr. Goines for the first time, that they are in possession of complainant Dennis Tuttle's cell phone. This phone was withheld from the State and from Mr. Goines, and he has not had an opportunity to examine it."
MORE: Gerald Goines attorney files motion for new trial
Gerald Goines convicted of murder
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Gerald Goines found guilty of felony murder
In a case we've been following for five years, jurors have found former Houston police narcotics officer Gerald Goines guilty of two counts of felony murder. FOX 26's Damali Keith is at Harris County criminal courthouse where the former officer learned his fate. (NOTE: This report was made following Goines' conviction.)
Goines became the first law enforcement officer in Harris County to be found guilty of murder while on the job.
Prosecutors accused Goines of misleading a judge to secure a no-knock search warrant for the home of Tuttle and Nicholas, claiming that black tar heroin was being sold there.
MORE COVERAGE OF THE HARDING STREET RAID CASE
They argued that Goines falsely stated a confidential informant had purchased drugs from the couple's residence; however, he later admitted to having no informant and conducting the operation himself.
After more than two weeks of testimony, the jury convicted Goines of two counts of felony murder in September.
The Source: The information in this article is from previous FOX 26 reporting and court documents.