TX - Several police officers shot, raid, 2 people killed, Houston, 28 Jan 2019 *6 officers charged*

[imstilla.grandma]

Lawyer: Ex-Houston cop facing murder charges was doing job

 

[Hatfield]

JMO
This is very upsetting to realize that LE can bust down anyone's door without knocking and kill both occupants and their dog and it may not even be the right people to begin with.

There is a such thing called the "Castle Doctrine" link below which states:

"The “Castle Doctrine” is a concept that comes from the philosophy that every person is the King or Queen of their home. Thus, there is never a need for the monarch of the kingdom to flee the castle before using force against an unlawful intruder.......Inside your “castle,” under certain circumstances, Texas law presumes you acted reasonably and justifiably if you use force or deadly force to defend yourself against an intruder who enters your occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment."

It falls along the line of the "Stand your Ground" laws already in place in some states. So if someone starts breaking down your door or trying to gain entry and you have no idea who it is then of course some people may choose to defend themselves from this "unknown intruder". This is no surprise to me that some people would try to defend themselves against a forced entry of unknown people.

And what about LE responsibility to make sure they identify the right residence before trying to forcefully gain entry without at least trying to knock first and see if the person will just answer the door.

This whole case is very upsetting and if anyone has ever seen shows like Cops then you know sometimes the officers in these raids cover themselves with dark scary clothing and look like dangerous Ninjas and not LE officers.

Its a two way street here and IMO we need to have LE use some common sense when they decide to raid someone's "castle".

One last thought. Lately I have seen numerous examples in the news of LE shooting dogs of pet owners for really no good reason. Some examples where LE just wanted to talk to the homeowner and they end up shooting the homeowners dog. If they get so scared because little "Spot" decides to growl at them then they need to get another job IMO.

Understanding the Castle Doctrine - U.S. & Texas LawShield

 

[CocoChanel]

Officers indicted on federal charges......

FBI arrests 2 ex-cops, 911 caller in deadly HPD drug raid

 

[DTPeke]

Pitiful when the word of a criminal is taken at face value and two innocent law abiding citizens (and loyal canine) are slaughtered inside their own home. Where was the investigation??? There are plenty of real drug houses in Houston. Why???

Who is the 911 caller in the Harding Street raid?

(The 911 caller arrested in the Harding Street raid, Patricia Ann Garcia, has a long criminal history dating back to 1984, KHOU 11 Investigates has learned. Among the arrests was one by the same narcotics squad involved in the raid.

Garcia is a convicted felon whose recent arrests include one by Houston police in 2013 for possession of cocaine. Garcia was convicted and sentenced to 60 days in jail.

Garcia lived just a few houses away on Harding Street where the raid resulted in the deaths of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas, as well as injuries to other Houston police officers.

The charges against Garcia allege she conveyed false information by making several fake 911 calls. Specifically, on Jan. 8, she allegedly made several calls claiming her daughter was inside the Harding Street location.

According to the indictment, Garcia added that the residents of the home were addicts and drug dealers and that they had guns, including machine guns, inside the home. The charges allege none of Garcia’s claims were true.

Garcia faces a five years in prison for conveying false information.)

 

[DTPeke]

In my opinion she should be charged with murder along with HPD. By all accounts the Tuttle's were well liked in the neighborhood. Apparently, she had some sort of grudge. Jealousy perhaps? ETA: She lives a few houses down but was dating the man directly across the street from the Tuttle's.

Who is Patricia Garcia?
Her alleged motives remain unclear.

Neighbors and activists said they aren’t surprised by the charges against Garcia. One neighbor said she responded with hostility when invited to a vigil for the murdered residents shortly after the botched raid.

Tommy Arce told KPRC 2 that the residence across the street is his father’s home and that Garcia dated his father, but he said Garcia does not live at the home.

Harding Street raid victim's family, activists react to new federal charges
Witnesses said she was shoeless and disheveled when officers walked her out of her boyfriend's home.

"I got a call this morning," said Garcia's boyfriend's son, Tommy Arce. "That was a very big surprise when I received the call this morning from my sister telling me that and the reports that I read on the news.”

Arce said he doesn't know what beef Garcia may have had with Tuttle and Nicholas or why she would have made bogus calls.

"I think she is capable of doing that, though," Arce said.

Community activist Hai Bui recalled an encounter with her early on.

“I came to her in the beginning, asking neighbors if I could do a vigil," Bui said. "And Pat Garcia was very vicious and said, 'No, get the heck out of here. I don’t want you guys here.'”

 

[CocoChanel]

Former Houston PD officer charged with murder in botched raid is released on bond.

Former HPD officer who led botched raid released on bond

 

[DTPeke]

Harding Street raid UPDATE: Grand jury expected to visit site of deadly raid

1-8-2020
HOUSTON – KPRC 2 has learned a grand jury is expected to visit the Harding Street site where a deadly shootout with Houston police happened in January 2019.

Law enforcement officers set up a tent and crime scene tape at the home Wednesday. KPRC 2 saw Harris County Constable Precinct 1 officers and representatives from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office at the home.

 

[CocoChanel]

A shuttlebus deposited grand jurors at a covered walkway leading to the scene of a botched drug raid in south Houston

 

[DTPeke]

Still so mad about this, article is not clear how she violated her bond..….

2.11.2020
HOUSTON – The woman accused of making fake 911 calls, setting into motion the events of the botched Jan. 2019 Harding Street raid that left two people dead, was taken into custody Tuesday after violating the terms of her bond.

Patricia Ann Garcia, 53, appeared in court Tuesday and was taken into custody after allegedly violating the conditions of her bond. She will appear in court again Thursday for a new bond hearing. She will remain in custody at least until the hearing.

Woman accused of making fake 911 calls in botched Harding Street Raid in custody after violating bond, court records show

 

[CocoChanel]

This travesty has such far-reaching implications.
I am just so disheartened by the actions of this former LE officer.

2nd man convicted on false testimony by Gerald Goines declared innocent

 

[Subiechik21]

Six former HPD officers indicted for 17 felonies after investigation into narcotics division

 

[CocoChanel]

Family of woman killed in HPD raid says city owes them full explanation of what happened

I agree with the family.
We all deserve a full explanation of what and how this happened.

 

[CocoChanel]

And more indictments.....this is such an egregious betrayal of public trust.
I am sick about this.
Grand jury indicts 6 more HPD officers in botched drug raid

 

[imstilla.grandma]

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[JerseyGirl]

Families of couple killed in Harding Street raid file lawsuits | khou.com

The families of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas are demanding transparency on the anniversary of their deaths. The couple was killed two years ago following a botched Houston Police Department no-knock drug warrant at their Harding Street home.

 

[CocoChanel]

Families of couple killed in Harding Street raid file lawsuits | khou.com

The families of Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas are demanding transparency on the anniversary of their deaths. The couple was killed two years ago following a botched Houston Police Department no-knock drug warrant at their Harding Street home.

From the above article:

“Chief Art Acevedo today could release this ballistics information. He could release the facts, this physical evidence. He could do it today and if he won’t do it, the mayor could do it,” Doyle said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the city has procedures and policies in place for a reason, and that the lawsuit is going to run its course.

I certainly support whatever redress the families of the victims of this horrible crime by HPD can pursue. I do think that asking for ballistics evidence to be released to the public is unreasonable at this point. Those indicted have not gone to trial yet. I would like to know that everything is being done to insure conviction of the guilty parties by a fair trial. I am grateful that we have learned as much as we have about what happened that night. I was glued to my TV praying for the safety of the officers involved. I never could have imagined the no-knock warrant and resulting deaths of these victims were all a sham. I would like to see justice for those killed, and a better HPD come from this dark incident in Houston’s history.

 

[CocoChanel]

Family of Rhogena Nicholas alleges HPD using overtime fraud allegations as raid coverup

New filings this morning. Also, HPD has a new police chief as of several weeks ago.

Troy Finner confirmed as new Houston police chief | khou.com

 

[CocoChanel]

The developments in this case are certainly twisty turny…..
Murder charge dismissed against Houston Police officer in connection to Harding Street raid

The release stated the conduct of a former prosecutor, who handled the case, raised concerns about his judgment and resulted in his termination from the office. The Harris County District Attorney said out of duty and an abundance of caution, all evidence in the shooting will be re-reviewed by a different prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Division and re-presented to a grand jury.