Nearly 4 years after the fatally botched Harding Street raid, there is still no trial of a former police officer facing 2 murder charges.

HOUSTON – Nearly 250 miles separate Natchitoches, Louisiana from 7815 Harding Street in southeast Houston.

However, KPRC 2 Investigates recently traveled to the tiny Louisiana town to meet Rogena’s mother Nicholas.

One of two homeowners who were shot while the Houston Police Department attempted to execute a search warrant on January 28, 2019.

“I’m just wondering why,” said her mother, Jo Ann Nicholas. “They weren’t cruel. They have never been violent.”

Hours after the botched drug raid that killed Rogena and her husband Dennis Tuttle, police said the two were violent drug dealers.

“This house was used for drug trafficking, in particular, heroin with black tar was sold,” said former police chief Art Acevedo.

“I knew it wasn’t true,” Jo Ann said, reflecting on how her only daughter was portrayed in the eyes of Houstonians and the nation.

A few weeks later, police investigators admitted that the raid was built on a lie.

KPRC 2 Investigates revealed for the first time an internal HPD investigation detailing the steps Gerald Goines went to in order to obtain a fake warrant.

Seven months later, the police veteran was indicted by the Harris County District Attorney’s office on two counts of murder.

Stephen Bryant, an officer who worked with Goines for many years, was also charged with falsifying government records.

A federal investigation in Harding Street resulted in additional charges, and while Bryant pleaded guilty to falsifying government documents, Goines has yet to face a jury trial with the feds or Harris County.

“She needs to sort out this mess that’s going on out there,” Nicholas said, referring to the district attorney’s office. “Take care of it and serve justice.”

The family’s civil lawyer, Mike Doyle, told KPRC 2 Investigates, “It’s a great place to be a bad guy in public service,” referring to the lack of inactivity in Houston.

Doyle says the families came to the same conclusion that justice had been done in the death of their loved ones.

“After all these years, the family knows how long they can put it off.”

Houston Police Union President Douglas Griffith says there is no excuse for the delay.

“There is no reason anyone in Harris County should wait four or five years for justice. We should have lawsuits within a year after the evidence is presented and taken to court,” Griffith said outside the union’s headquarters.

When asked if he thinks this sends the wrong signal to the Houstonians? “I think so,” said Griffith.

The union isn’t paying to protect Goines.

“Someone lied? Yes. Will he pay the price for it? Yes, Griffith said.

However, he also believes the story, which appeared hours after Nicholas and Tuttle’s death. “I feel sorry for those two people who were killed, but I remain convinced that they were drug dealers, and they first shot at our officers, and our officers reacted,” Griffith added.

As for how many times the police or city officials made contact after her daughter’s death?

“Zero,” said Jo Ann, holding the circle.

At 88, she is pessimistic after everything she’s seen in the last four years.

“Do you think you will see justice for your daughter in your lifetime?” we asked.

“I’m afraid not,” she replied.

It should be noted that the City of Houston has already committed more than $1,000,000 to fight the Nicholas and Tuttle families in a civil suit.

Jo Ann and her sister-in-law made it clear during our visit to Natchitoches that they were not going anywhere.

SEE ALSO: Charges Dropped for Man Serving 25 Years Due to Perjury, False Testimony Submitted by Former HPD Officer Gerald Goines: DA

Former police officer charged with murder in a failed Harding Street raid is back in court; Defense lawyer calls for indictments to be dropped

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals says conviction of man arrested by former HPD cop Gerald Goines should be overturned

Man drug case dismissed after wrongful conviction of former disgraced Houston cop