A retired Houston officer gets 60 years in a couple's drug raid deaths that revealed corruption

HOUSTON (AP) — A former Houston police officer was sentenced to 60 years in prison on Tuesday for the murder of a married couple during a drug raid that revealed systemic corruption in the department’s narcotics unit and prompted criticism of the law enforcement agency and its tactics.

Gerald Goines was convicted in the January 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle, 59, and Rhogena Nicholas, 58. The couple were shot along with their dog after officers burst into their home using a “no-knock” warrant that didn’t require them to announce themselves before entering.

Prosecutors said Goines lied to get the search warrant approved and that his actions were part of a pattern of wrongful drug arrests and convictions of innocent individuals during his 34-year law enforcement career.

“Gerald Goines has been a stain on the reputation of every honest cop in our community, a community that he terrorized through corruption worthy of the movie ‘Training Day,’” said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.

Goines, 60, looked down but had no visible reaction as he heard the sentences for each count of murder, which will run concurrently. The jury, which had deliberated for more than 10 hours over two days on his sentence, also fined him $20,000. Legal experts have said it is rare for a police officer to be charged and convicted for an on-duty killing.

Goines didn’t make eye contact when Ryan Tuttle sat on the witness stand after the sentencing, with a framed photograph of his father and stepmother, and said his family was still waiting for answers from the ex-officer about why he targeted the couple. Goines, who did not testify during the monthlong trial, remained silent.

“My father and my stepmother were not involved in any drug dealing. They were good people. They did not deserve this,” Ryan Tuttle said, and then stared at Goines as he walked away.

During closing arguments in the trial’s punishment phase, prosecutors had asked for a life sentence. Goines’ attorneys had asked for the minimum sentence of five years, saying Goines had dedicated his life to keeping drugs off the streets.

“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,” Nicole DeBorde, one of Goines’ attorneys, told reporters after the sentence was read.

Goines had been free on bond since he was charged, but he was taken into custody following his conviction last month by the same jury.

Prosecutors said Goines falsely claimed an informant had bought heroin at the couple’s home from a man with a gun, setting up the violent confrontation in which the couple was killed and four officers, including Goines, were shot and wounded, and a fifth was injured. A Texas Ranger who investigated the raid testified that the officers fired first, killing the dog and likely provoking Tuttle’s gunfire.

His lawyers acknowledged he lied to get the search warrant, but sought to diminish the impact. Two witnesses — a fellow officer and the judge who signed the warrant — said the raid never would have happened if Goines had told the truth.

Investigators later found only small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the house, and while Houston’s police chief at the time, Art Acevedo, initially praised Goines as being “tough as nails,” he later suspended him when the lies emerged. Goines later retired as the probes continued.

The probe into the drug raid uncovered allegations of much wider corruption. Goines was among a dozen officers tied to the narcotics squad who were later indicted on other charges. A judge dismissed charges against some of them, but a review of thousands of cases involving the unit led prosecutors to dismiss many cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has overturned at least 22 convictions linked to Goines.

Ryan Tuttle said he hoped the deaths of his father and stepmother would spur police reform not just in Houston but around the country.

“If it’s happening in Houston, it’s happening everywhere,” Tuttle said. “We have to make sure this stops.”

Ogg said the police department reviewed various policies after the raid but that a thorough revamping of narcotics enforcement by the agency has yet to happen.

An audit of the narcotics unit done after the raid found officers made hundreds of errors in cases, often weren’t thorough in their investigations and lacked supervision.

In a brief statement after the jury’s sentence, Houston police said, “We respect the jury’s decision in the trial involving Gerald Goines and thank the jurors for their time and service.”

“This is not an indictment against police officers. There are 99% upstanding police officers. This was also about sending a message to them, that we believe in them, we support them. What we don’t support is corruption,” said prosecutor Tanisha Manning.

Goines also made a drug arrest in 2004 in Houston of George Floyd, whose 2020 death at the hands of a Minnesota police officer sparked a nationwide reckoning on racism in policing. A Texas board in 2022 declined a request that Floyd be granted a posthumous pardon for that drug conviction.

Goines also faces federal criminal charges in connection with the raid, and federal civil rights lawsuits filed by the families of Tuttle and Nicholas against Goines, 12 other officers and the city of Houston are set to be tried in November.

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Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines is led through the courtroom by deputies after he was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

The family of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas gather outside the courtroom after former Houston police officer Gerald Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Elizabeth Ferrari, sister of Dennis Tuttle, left, talks to prosecutor Tanisha Manning, after former Houston police officer Gerald Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines is led back into the courtroom to be formally sentenced on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder and sentenced to 60 years behind bars in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Prosecutors Keaton Forcht, left, and Tanisha Manning embrace just before former Houston police officer Gerald Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

District Attorney Kim Ogg, left, talks to prosecutors Tanisha Manning, center, and Keaton Forcht after a 60-year prison sentence was handed down to former Houston police officer Gerald Gaines on a pair of felony murder convictions they litigated on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Ryan Tuttle, son of Dennis Tuttle, walks out of the courtroom after former Houston police officer Gerald Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines stands with his lawyer, Nicole Deborde Hochglaube, and his defense team as the verdict sentencing him to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines sits in the courtroom after he was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, left, stand with the families Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas after former Houston police officer Gerald Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston Police officer Gerald Goines stands as he is formally sentenced on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder and sentenced to 60 years behind bars in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Ron Tuttle, brother of Dennis Tuttle, listens as former Houston police officer Gerald Goines is sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines sits in the courtroom after he was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Elizabeth Ferrari, sister of Dennis Tuttle, holds a photo of her brother and Rhogena Nicholas, outside the courtroom after former Houston police officer Gerald Goines was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Tuttle and Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston police officer Gerald Goines sits in the courtroom after he was sentenced to 60 years behind bars on a pair of felony murder convictions on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Prosecutor Tanisha Manning speaks to the jury during closing arguments in the punishment phase of former Houston Police officer Gerald Gaines' felony murder trial on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston Police officer Gerald Gaines listens to closing arguments in the punishment phase of his felony murder trial on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Former Houston Police officer Gerald Gaines listens to closing arguments in the punishment phase of his felony murder trial on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 in Houston. Goines was found guilty of felony murder in the 2019 deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

The New York Giants lost by winning.

A rare victory — 45-33 over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday — knocked the Giants out of control for the coveted No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

So much for Shedeur Sanders’ Giants-themed cleats unless New York trades up to get the Colorado quarterback.

The Giants (3-13) dropped from first to fourth in the draft order, with the Patriots (3-13) moving up to No. 1. New England doesn’t need a quarterback because rookie Drake Maye has been one of the team’s few bright spots this season. But the Titans (3-13) currently sit at No. 2 and they will be seeking a franchise QB at No. 2. The Browns (3-13) should do the same if they stay at No. 3. Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward won’t be around if New York has to settle for the fourth pick.

That’s why Giants fans were angry after witnessing the team’s first win at MetLife Stadium this season.

“The playoff is out of contention, you understand what they’re saying,” quarterback Drew Lock said after throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns. “But at the same time, it’s nice to say we’re going to go work, we’re going to keep doing this, we’re going to keep pushing, the season’s not over, we’ve got two games left to be able to come out and win this one — that’s the goal every single week, come out and win and work as hard as we can to do it."

Players aren’t going to tank football games. It’s a violent, physical sport and it would be dangerous to play to lose. Plus, there’s too much pride involved and other factors. Guys are playing for contracts and there are few job guarantees in the NFL.

“We’re obviously not tanking,” said wide receiver Darius Slayton, who screamed an expletive about tanking after catching a 32-yard TD pass. “At the end of the day, we have a job to do. This isn’t basketball, it’s not golf, it’s not tennis. Football, you get hit, so I’m not (going to) go out there and just let people tee off on me just to tank.”

Getting coaches on board to play not to win would be a tough task, too. Brian Daboll has no incentive to care about draft positioning if his job status is uncertain. General manager Joe Schoen also could be fired, so this decision should have come from the top. Start a third-string quarterback and bench key starters. That’s how teams give themselves a better opportunity to lose.

The Giants didn’t do that. The repercussions of this victory could set the organization back a few years if New York doesn’t end up with a franchise quarterback.

That’s not Daboll’s concern. He breathed a sigh of relief after the Giants avoided becoming the first team to go 0-9 at home.

“I see these coaches every day come in and are consistent. It’s hard to be consistent in an inconsistent league when things go ... It’s not great,” Daboll said. “We haven’t had a good record. I firmly acknowledge that and I accept responsibility for that. But their commitment to doing things the right way, day in and day out, staying late and putting together plans much like the players when we’re down and we got two wins. We have the right kind of people. It was good to get a win at home, I’ll say that. It was good to get a win at home. But it means more to me for the players and the coaches.”

Las Vegas, another team that needs a franchise quarterback, was in contention for the top pick before winning consecutive games. Now, the Raiders (4-12) are sitting at No. 8.

“We don’t do this to lose,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said last week. “We don’t do this for anybody’s fantasy football team. Don’t do this for anybody’s draft projections. None of that (stuff) matters to us. What matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.”

Even if winning ends up hurting the franchise.

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New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) celebrates with tight end Daniel Bellinger (82) after Lock scored a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)