SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — A retrial of a former police officer accused of sexually assaulting a teenager and another woman continued Tuesday, with jurors hearing new testimony about DNA evidence and police policies.
Former East Point police officer Richard Goodine is facing the same charges from his first trial, which ended in a mistrial. Prosecutors say they are calling more witnesses this time to provide additional details about what happened the night of the alleged assault.
Goodine’s first trial on the charges ended in a mistrial. The current trial is continuing in Fulton County.
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GBI Agent Ashley Brown testified that investigators found DNA from the 15-year-old alleged victim inside Goodine’s patrol car.
Brown told jurors the teenager’s DNA was found on the steering wheel and turn signal.
During cross-examination, the defense questioned what that DNA evidence could establish.
Brown agreed that a DNA swab does not show how DNA got onto an item or when it was deposited.
The defense also pointed out that DNA could have been transferred through contact with a person’s clothing, shoes, hands, face or mouth.
Brown agreed she did not know when the DNA was deposited in relation to when she processed the vehicle.
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Goodine acknowledges that he made the teenager get into his patrol car that night and took her home. The teenager alleges that before he took her home, Goodine assaulted her in the parking lot of the complex where she lived.
Prosecutors are also presenting testimony about police policies they say Goodine violated that night.
Retired East Point Police Chief Tommy Gardner testified about the procedures an officer should follow when transporting a juvenile.
Gardner told prosecutors an officer should provide their location and get permission from a supervisor before transporting a juvenile.
The state says those policy violations are part of the additional evidence being presented to the jury in the retrial.
This is a developing story. We will continue following the trial and bringing you the latest updates.
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