Posted on 08/27/2019 5:33:41 PM PDT by abb
HOUSTON - Remember the explosive speech by Houston Police Officers' Union President Joe Gamaldi in the hours following the deadly botched raid at a home on Harding Street earlier this year?
"We are sick and tired of having dirtbags trying to take our lives when all we are trying to do is protect this community and protect our families," Gamaldi said on Jan.
Gamaldi and the union stood defiantly that night in its backing of Sgt. Gerald Goines, as well as the other Houston police officers injured in the raid.
For months thereafter, the union picked up Goines' legal tab. However, Goines is no longer being provided that luxury.
On Monday, KPRC 2 Investigates learned the union has stopped paying Goines' legal fees. A union official confirming it in a text. Goines' attorney, Nicole DeBorde, said she will remain with her client.
When asked why her client was innocent following his second court appearance, DeBorde said:
"He is innocent because he didn't commit a crime. So we are eager to finally have access to the investigation in this case so that we can go through the details ourselves, and we look forward to mounting a vigorous defense."
Goines was back in court Monday along with his former partner, Steven Bryant. The former HPD narcotics officers were charged Friday in connection with the raid that left Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas dead.
"I think we do owe both families everything we can give it to get to the truth as to what happened and that is what this office is going to do," said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
Ogg said her office is working to see if Goines and Bryant are the only officers involved in the raid that should be charged with a crime.
"We are interested in figuring out whether the officers in the stack, that were sent in by Gerald Goines were innocent players," Ogg said.
Bryant's legal fees are still being covered by the union; however, an official said Monday they need to examine the charging documents carefully before making a final determination. On Tuesday, a union official said that Bryant's legal fees will be taken care of until the very end.
ping
Houston police union no longer paying legal bills of ex-officer facing murder charge in botched drug raid
Keri Blakinger and St. John Barned-Smith Aug. 27, 2019 Updated: Aug. 27, 2019 4:21 p.m.
Has Chief Acevedo taken back his claims about “conspiracy theorists” outrageous claims of falsified paperwork in this case?
The HPD is dirty.
Drug cops are the same class of dirtbag they are allegedly protecting us from.
Filthy dirty.
They have perfected La Cosa Nostra’s technique.
Thanks for posting. Something must be going on to cause the union to bail on Goines. With any luck, maybe he will get to ride the needle.
Back in the day their payoffs were in the THOUSANDS every MONTH.
I’m sure it’s all cleaned up now though. /s
After hearing from the DA at a lunch recently, I think these aren’t going to be the last two cops charged.
From KARE11 Aug 24, 2019 =>
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The day after the raid, Acevedo described Goines, who had been shot two previous times as an undercover cop, as a “big teddy bear with tremendous heart and courage.”
In a Friday news conference, the chief changed his tune about Goines and Bryant but defended the other officers involved in the raid.
“I think we were all taken for a ride by two of them, but I still believe those officers that went in there acted in good faith on behalf of this community,” Acevedo said. “I still think they’re heroes.”
After hearing from the DA at a lunch recently, I think these aren’t going to be the last two cops charged.
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That is slightly encouraging. Of course, all kinds of legal shenanigans and trick-foolery can be expected as we move towards a trial.
I wonder if it would be too much to ask if the accused can be housed in J Epstein’s cell; after all, he isn’t using it these days.
How many other raids, investigations, etc. have been tainted by those involved here. Where is the justice for all the others wronged by this corruption?
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