HOUSTON, Texas – After three hours of closing arguments in the murder trial of ex-Houston Police Department narcotics officer Gerald Goines, the jury has begun deliberations.
The first day of deliberations did not end in a verdict. Jurors will return Wednesday at 10 a.m.
The trial, centering on former Houston Police Department narcotics officer Gerald Goines, has captured widespread attention. Goines faces charges of murder and tampering with a government record, stemming from the 2019 raid that resulted in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle, Rhogena Nicholas, and their dog.
Prosecutors Tanisha Manning and Keaton Forcht have argued that Goines’s fabrication of information to secure a no-knock warrant directly led to the fatal raid. They presented evidence, including phone records and testimony, to demonstrate that neither Goines nor a confidential informant purchased drugs from the Harding Street home prior to the raid.
In contrast, the defense highlighted evidence suggesting Tuttle and Nicholas were drug users and argued that Nicholas attempted to grab an officer’s weapon during the raid. They also pointed to testimony indicating Tuttle fired at the officers first.
5: 30 p.m. - First day of jury deliberations ended without a verdict
2:07 p.m. - Jury deliberations begin
1:33 p.m. - Tanisha Manning begins closing statements
Tanisha Manning opened her closing statements by saying, “It is offensive that, six years later, we are still trying to justify a falsified search warrant.”
She emphasized that Gerald Goines failed to investigate before entering the home, firing multiple shots, and riddling it with bullets.
Manning refuted claims that Goines was under the influence of fentanyl when he lied on the warrant, insisting that Dennis Tuttle had every right to defend his home after seeing guns pointed at his wife and his dog shot dead. She also pointed out that the house was dark, with all windows covered.
According to Manning, Goines was directly responsible for falsifying the search warrant, prompting officers to fire at the homeowners, and for the shots Tuttle fired.
Manning’s closing was frequently interrupted by objections from Deborde.
Manning said the defense sought to shift attention to Tuttle’s medical records and Nicholas’s text messages, but reminded the jury that there was no confidential informant (CI) involved.
Manning concluded by urging the jury to decide the case based on the facts and evidence, reiterating that Goines’s lies led to the officers forcibly entering the home of Tuttle and Nicholas.
1:29 p.m. Nicole Deborde finishes up closing statements
12:45 p.m. - Defense attorney Nicole Deborde begins closing statements
Defense attorney Nicole Deborde began her closing statements by saying, “For six years, this District Attorney’s office has had both the ability and responsibility to investigate, interview witnesses with firsthand knowledge, and determine appropriate charges in this case. In 2020, they chose to charge Goines with murder, which is not the correct charge.”
Deborde noted that prosecutors did not want jurors to know about a romantic relationship between a narcotics sergeant and another officer. Goines was assigned to the Harding Street home by the HPD narcotics Sergent after the initial 911 call her life partner responded to, according to Deborde.
Deborde highlighted claims that the dog killed in the raid was “aggressive” and nearly caused Tuttle to be hospitalized. Deborde said Tuttle’s medical records indicate he had bipolar disorder, a mood disorder, and borderline personality disorder. She stated that Tuttle and Nicholas slept in shifts and kept a guard dog for protection.
Deborde raised questions regarding the location of Dennis Tuttle’s phone and the whereabouts of the car parked in the driveway, which belonged to Nicholas’ ex-husband.
She ended her 50-minute closing by asking the jury to find Gerald Goines not guilty.
11:57 a.m. - Defense attorney George Secrest begins closing statements
In his closing statements, Secrest argued that the case was overcharged due to media outcry.
“We never heard State Attorney Keaton present the facts,” Secrest said. “Eighty seconds—that’s all it took. But they don’t want to talk about the 80 seconds.”
Secrest emphasized that the prosecution failed to address key evidence in the case: “Did you hear them mention that Tuttle fired the first shot at a human being? Did they say anything about Tuttle shooting two officers in the head? You think he just got lucky? We didn’t hear any of that, because they don’t want you to consider it. Think about the facts.”
Secrest recounted the events that unfolded when officers entered the Harding Street home, noting that it was Nicholas who shouted at officers, “Motherfuckers, motherfuckers!” He then explained that officers shot the “aggressive” dog, and then Tuttle immediately shot an officer. According to Secrest, the next significant event was Nicholas appearing in a dominant position over an officer, seemingly trying to grab his gun.
Another officer was shot, followed by Goines, who was unarmed and shot in the face, Secrest explains. Shortly after, a sergeant was also shot in the face by Tuttle. Secrest claimed that Tuttle was laughing as he shot at the officers.
“Tuttle and Nicholas didn’t die because of a bad warrant or because officers entered their home; it’s what happened inside the house that mattered.”
He said evidence proved that the officer’s conduct was justified, pointing to evidence contradicting the state’s claim that officers did not announce themselves. Morales’ body-worn camera captured footage as he ran up the driveway, and though Morales initially didn’t recall hearing the officers, Secrest highlighted a written statement where Morales confirmed hearing them announce themselves and shout “search warrant.”
“They hate it,” Secrest said, pointing at the prosecutors. “They want to crawl under their desks right now.”
Secrest also pointed out that Morales arrived at the scene too late to hear the officers’ initial commands and turned on his body camera late. He said Ranger Wolf confirmed he reviewed all materials provided by the DA’s office, including sworn statements from the officers involved. Each officer confirmed they had announced themselves before entering the Harding Street home, Secrest claimed.
“Isn’t it a shame that this wasn’t brought out earlier in the case?” Secrest asked.
He argued that while false information in the affidavit led officers to the home, it wasn’t what caused the deaths of Nicholas and Tuttle; their own actions did. “The first person to shoot a human being was Dennis Tuttle. No one shot at Tuttle until he began firing at officers, aiming for their faces and necks,” Secrest said.
He criticized the prosecution’s portrayal of Tuttle and Nicholas as shocked and surprised when they saw the officers. “Does being surprised make you shoot someone? Were you shocked when you shot someone in the face and laughed about it?”
Secrest also noted that there was no evidence to suggest the officers used unlawful force. “Mr. Tuttle’s unwillingness to take his antipsychotic medication is on him,” Secrest stated. “It’s tragic, but that doesn’t give him the right to shoot officers.”
Demonstrating how Tuttle held and fired his gun, Secrest concluded, “These folks would not have died if not for their unlawful actions. You can hate Goines, but he’s not guilty of murder under these facts.”
He referred to the prosecution as “gatekeepers” multiple times before finishing his statement at 12:45 p.m.
11:56 a.m. - Fortcht ends closing arguments
11:17 a.m. - Prosecutors begin closing statements
State attorney Keaton Forcht began his closing statements with a powerful message: “Just because you have a badge does not mean you are above the law.” He reminded the jury that the Fourth Amendment is a right all citizens share, emphasizing that Gerald Goines believed he could devalue that right.
Forcht pointed out that the defense called three witnesses to testify about events following the raid, but urged the jury, “Do not be manipulated in this case.” He added, “There’s a long line of people who have already been manipulated by Goines in this case.”
Forcht said Goines deceived Judge Gordon Marcum II to obtain the no-knock warrant.
Lt. Todd, who spoke with Goines at the hospital, testified that Goines provided the name “Reece,” claiming him as the confidential informant, even though Reece was not the CI Goines used. “This level of manipulation goes up a notch,” Forcht said, referencing how Goines allegedly manipulated Lt. Todd by suggesting Reece would be scared to testify.
Forcht also highlighted how Goines’ partner, Bryant, testified that Goines manipulated a friend to retrieve heroin from a car, tagging it under the Harding Street address. Goines allegedly planted the heroin while the Nicholas and Tuttle families were being informed of their loved ones’ deaths.
Goines, Forcht said, never came clean, but instead doubled down on the deception. He instructed Sgt. Bass to take a statement in which Goines claimed he was the CI and that he had purchased two bags of heroin the day before the raid.
Forcht asked the jurors if they believed they too could be manipulated, just as Goines allegedly manipulated a judge, a sergeant, and friends. He argued that no-knock warrants are dangerous and only thorough investigations can prevent such tragic outcomes. He pointed out numerous lies in the warrant, emphasizing that Goines did not conduct any research on Harding Street before the raid, where gunfire erupted.
“For every bullet fired inside the Harding Street home, Gerald Goines is absolutely responsible,” Forcht stated. He noted that once you move past the tragedy and disgust, you reach irony. “It’s ironic that the only person who possessed heroin in this case was Goines. It’s incredibly ironic that Goines wanted to investigate the home after the fact. And it’s deeply ironic that this entire trial began with Goines abandoning his oath in front of Judge Marcum.”
Forcht concluded by reminding the jury of the gravity of their decision: “Your verdict will have an incredible impact on Gerald Goines, as well as on the Nicholas and Tuttle families.” He ended by calling Goines “the liar who set this all up.”
10:50 a.m. - Jury brought in - Jury is charged
The jury will have to determine if Goines is guilty of felony murder and tampering with a government record.
10:00 a.m. - Court begins
In a packed courthouse, both sides are preparing for closing arguments. Judge Nelson announced on Tuesday that each side will have 90 minutes.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg is present for the closing arguments, seated in the front row directly behind the prosecution team.
Closing arguments have not yet started as both sides are still working out three issues regarding the jury charge language. Judge Nelson is meeting with the attorneys on the bench to resolve these issues.s.
Missed a day or two? Get caught up with our daily coverage of the trial:
Day 10: Prosecution and defense rest in Harding Street murder trial
Day 9: Defense begins presenting case in Gerald Goines murder trial
Day 8: Autopsy photos shown in Goines trial for deadly Harding St. raid
Day 7: Jurors hear from Texas Ranger who investigated deadly Harding St. raid
Day 6: HPD detective says no evidence Gerald Goines fired firearm during deadly Harding St. raid
Day 5: Defense questions thoroughness of Harding St. home search after deadly raid
Day 4: Gerald Goines’ former HPD partner, Steven Bryant, drops bombshell during emotional testimony
Day 2 of Gerald Goines murder trial: State drilling down on initial 911 call that got things going
Day 1: Ex-HPD narcotics officer’s lies led to deadly Harding Street raid, prosecutors argue