The Latest: Houston police chief supports drug raid charges
HOUSTON (AP) — The Latest on the ongoing investigation into a deadly Houston drug raid that killed a couple and injured several officers (all times local):
6:30 p.m.
Houston's police chief says the arrest of two officers for their roles in a deadly January drug raid that killed a couple shows his agency can hold its own accountable if they do something wrong.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said Friday he doesn't believe the actions of ex-officers Gerald Goines and Steven Bryant are indicative of a systematic problem within his agency.
Earlier Friday, prosecutors announced they had filed two felony murder counts against Goines and one count of tampering with a government record against Bryant.
Killed in the raid were Rhogena Nicholas and Dennis Tuttle. Five officers were injured.
Acevedo says the other officers who took part in the raid were also victims as they were led astray by the actions of two officers who "dishonored the badge."
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5:35 p.m.
Attorneys for the family of a woman who along with her husband were killed in January drug raid by Houston police say charges against two ex-officers involved in the raid are "only the beginning of the pursuit of justice" for the couple.
Killed in the raid were 58-year-old Rhogena Nicholas and 59-year-old Dennis Tuttle. Five officers were injured.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office on Friday charged ex-officer Gerald Goines with two counts of felony murder. Another former officer, Steven Bryant, was charged with tampering with a government record.
An independent review by Nicholas' family earlier this year cast doubt on how the shooting took place.
Attorneys for the Nicholas family say they're still seeking more information about police department practices.
District Attorney Kim Ogg apologized to the couple's families.
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2:30 p.m.
Prosecutors have charged a former Houston police officer with felony murder in connection with a deadly January drug raid that killed a couple and injured several officers.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office announced the charges against former officer Gerald Goines on Friday. Another former officer was charged with tampering with a government record.
Goines' attorney previously said he has done nothing wrong. Goines and other officers were shot during the Jan. 28 raid, and 58-year-old Rhogena Nicholas and 59-year-old Dennis Tuttle were killed.
The raid came under scrutiny after police alleged Goines lied to obtain a search warrant.
Family and friends of Tuttle and Nicholas have continuously dismissed allegations the couple sold drugs. Police found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the home but no heroin.
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1:50 p.m.
Prosecutors have charged a former Houston police officer with felony murder in connection with a deadly January drug raid that killed a couple and injured several officers.
The Jan. 28 raid came under scrutiny after police alleged one of the officers who was shot, Gerald Goines, lied in order to obtain a search warrant. Killed in the shooting were 58-year-old Rhogena Nicholas and 59-year-old Dennis Tuttle.
Family and friends of Tuttle and Nicholas have continuously dismissed allegations the couple sold drugs. Police found small amounts of marijuana and cocaine in the home but no heroin.
The Harris County District Attorney's Office announced the charges against Goines at a press conference Friday. Another officer was charged with tampering with a government record.
