Meet prosecutors in Gerald Goines' fatal murder trial at the Harding Street raid

HOUSTON, Texas – In less than two weeks, one of the most important trials in Harris County is set to begin.

Gerald Goines, a former Houston Police Department narcotics agent, is on trial for the deadly Harding Street robbery that killed Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas in January 2019.

There are many unanswered questions about the outcome of the trial, and much of the spotlight will be on Goines' defense team and the prosecutors.

For more information about the team Goines represents, click here.

Now let’s get to know the prosecutors:

Who is Tanisha Manning?

Tanisha Manning is the Chief of the Felony Unit and currently the Director of Professional Development for the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

In addition to her work as a litigator, Manning also serves as a mentor and supervisor and is a member of the Texas District and County Attorney's Association Education Committee.

Manning has been involved in several notable cases, including the case of Mack Watson Jr., who was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years in prison for stalking and shooting a father in front of his 15-year-old son in 2016. Manning was also the prosecutor in the trial in which MS-13 gang members were found guilty of killing a 14-year-old with a machete in 2015.

She attended the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

Who is Keaton Fear?

Keaton Forcht has been an Assistant District Attorney in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office since 2014.

Forcht has prosecuted some of the biggest cases in Harris County, including the case in which Frederick Jackson was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a double murder in 2021 after he shot a New Orleans police officer at a Galleria district restaurant. He also prosecuted the case in which a member of the Black Disciples gang was sentenced to 80 years in prison for shooting an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire in 2020.

“Personally, I wouldn't want to run against either of them. I think they're going to do a great job. I think Keaton is going to fight for the state. I think Nicole is going to fight for Gerald Goines' constitutional right and protect it, and I think it's going to be a great trial,” said Erin Epley, criminal defense attorney.

He received his law degree from Duke University School of Law.