I wonder how much more there is to this story. His poor kids.



HOUSTON, TX (KTRK) --
Three weeks after Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Goforth was gunned down in cold blood, ABC13 has uncovered court documents shedding light on a witness to the lawman's murder and her relationship to the deputy.

The eyewitness, who is not named in the court documents dated September 16, said she had a "romantic relationship" with Goforth during the preceding 15 months.

She took a polygraph test and gave statements that are now in the hands of defense attorneys, court records also show.

"It's (expletive)," said Stephen Allison, Goforth's brother-in-law, in response to the alleged affair.

"I'm shocked by the question and by the allegation. As his good friend, I adamantly believe that's a lie. There's nothing farther from the truth," Robert Partin, a family friend, told Eyewitness News. "I will do everything in my power to keep his image from being tainted."

"Even in a horrific crime like this people are suspicious of potential cover-ups. And cover-ups sometimes cloud the investigations, and they cloud the real intent of what happened in this case," said Joel Androphy, a defense attorney and court expert who is not involved with the Goforth case. "We all see what happened, but nobody's drawing any conclusions and nobody should yet."

"This clouds the investigation. It clouds people's thinking about what really happened because people are suspicious of the government to begin with."

ABC13 reporters on the scene August 28, the night Goforth was killed, talked to witnesses who saw a woman in "dressy clothing crying over the deputy's body".

Other eyewitnesses said she called Goforth her "best friend", while crying over the body that evening.

Sheriff's officers made no mention of such a witness the night of the murder, and abc13 reporters were unable to find her in the following days.

It is believed she is the woman mentioned in the court filing.

Shannon J. Miles, 30, had been in custody since August 29, and is charged with capital murder in the Goforth killing.

No motive has been announced. There is no documented connection between that woman and Miles.

"This is still a fluid case working with the DA to make sure she has all the information," Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman told ABC13 Friday.

Miles' defense attorney Anthony Osso also said Friday he was aware of the court filing and had already started to develop similar information.

He said it is "far too soon" to tell what it will mean to the case.

"The crime is after all on video" but Androphy suggests "injecting eyewitnesses who have personal connections to the victim, may cloud what until now seemed to be an easy case for prosecutors."

"In a criminal case all you need is reasonable doubt," Androphy said. "The state could have done a better job of investigating and asking this person questions up front if this person had an affair or have a relationship with the deceased."

Investigators had the unfortunate duty of informing Goforth's widow of the court document before it was entered into the public record.

Goforth's killing made national headlines when he was murdered. Hickman called the killing a "cold-blooded assassination" and criticized the black lives matter movement.

"Cops' lives matter, too," Hickman said at the time. "So why don't we drop the qualifier and say lives matter."

Investigators say Goforth had worked an accident scene at around 8:30pm, then went to a gas station on Telge and West road.

As he was pumping gas, detectives say Miles approached Goforth from behind, said nothing, and fired multiple shots at the deputy. Once he fell to the ground, authorities said Miles fired more shots into Goforth. Goforth was pronounced dead at the scene. 

I don't see where it says "she was in the car with him"... I wonder what this has to do with him being murdered in cold blood when he was shot behind? 

I wonder what this has to do with him being murdered in cold blood when he was shot behind??


I agree. Even if he WAS having an affair, that shouldn't impact this case. Unless the mistress had him killed or was somehow involved with the person that killed the deputy, it shouldn't be public knowledge. All that does is blame the victim and hurt his family. 

I wonder what this has to do with him being murdered in cold blood when he was shot behind?

I heard a theory that the killer was hired to kill the deputy, not sure if by the mistress or wife. Either way, it should be investigated. It would answer questions about the seemingly random nature of the murder.

And before anyone attacks me, I think nobody should be murdered, for any reason. If he was murdered for jealousy or revenge or racial reasons or because he was a cop, or for mental illness of the murderer, it doesn't excuse or mitigate the crime. But knowing the full truth might help prevent people using it to further their own political agendas. 

I don't see where it says "she was in the car with him"... I wonder what this has to do with him being murdered in cold blood when he was shot behind?

I didn't either but I just copied the headline. I guess since she was there with him at the time of the shooting the assumption is that she was also in the patrol car? Was he on duty when this shooting happened?

I think the only thing that is relevant to the murder is if there was a love triangle or something connected to his murder but not seeing anything that points to that. You can bet the defense will be looking into that angle.

I guess it had to come out since she was a witness. I am sure the police were aware of her connection to him all along and wanted to spare the family. 

I guess it had to come out since she was a witness. I am sure the police were aware of her connection to him all along and wanted to spare the family.?


I'm sure that's true. I do feel bad for his family.

Now, if what Donkey Hodie says is true, there's A LOT more to this case than meets the eye...and that is usually the case. 

I heard a theory that the killer was hired to kill the deputy, not sure if by the mistress or wife.

Since the shooter was also in and out of jail (if I'm not mistaken) there could also be a motive there if somehow this officer had been involved with the criminal in past dealings of any kind.

At any rate, it bears on the investigation if any leads would indicate it wasn't a random shooting.

Regardless, he wasn't a knight in shining armor, apparently. Before anyone gets their panties in a knot, I am not saying his murder was in any way justified. Not at all. But after all of the accolades about what a great husband and father he was, it is obvious he was just a flawed human like so many are. Just like other victims have been. 

If she is a witness there is no way her involvement can be covered up. It was going to come out regardless. Man, if that is the truth. What a sucky situation for the wife. 

Having an affair definitely doesn't mean you deserve to be shot in the head execution style. RIP Deputy Goforth. 

I don't see where it says "she was in the car with him"

I heard somewhere that the gf stated that and it is in the court documents. She took a polygraph. So he was a cheater and also sounds like he abused the police policy (not to mention taking advantage of the tax payer's dime) if it is true she was in the patrol car with him. Anyway, I am not sure how she could have been laying over his body crying at the scene if she wasn't riding with him, unless they were just meeting up at the gas station. It doesn't lessen the horrific nature of the crime.

I also heard (and it may just be one of those conspiracy theory rumors) that the officer was shot18 times and the affair had been going on for 18 months. If true, that is an eerie coincidence.

The wife may have known about the affair. They often do. Police officers have an inordinate high adultery rate. That isn't a slam on police, just an observation. I am sure there are many psychological profiles that could theorize on that.

If this was an private affair and had nothing to do with the crime, it is very sad that it will probably always cast a shadow over his character. People think they can conduct their secrets away from the eyes of others, but sadly, this just shows that it can catch up with a person in the most tragic of ways. 

I heard somewhere that the gf stated that and it is in the court documents.


So you base your thread title on "you heard"? Sad. 

I heard somewhere that the gf stated that and it is in the court documents.


So you base your thread title on "you heard"? Sad.?


No, try reading every post:


I don't see where it says "she was in the car with him"... I wonder what this has to do with him being murdered in cold blood when he was shot behind?

I didn't either but I just copied the headline. 

So you base your thread title on "you heard"? Sad.?

I don't want you to be "sad". Poor thing.

Witness to the murder was in Goforth's car, according to court documents
 

The wife may have known about the affair. They often do. Police officers have an inordinate high adultery rate.



 

it only matters if the wife was involved. then it makes a difference. Still it is sad. 

All good crime stories have a little sex... 

true, hoister. if it is true, and I hope it is not, then I hope the $369,000 raised will go to the kids. 

Seems like the media sets the stage for assumptions that shouldn't be made... 

Having an affair definitely doesn't mean you deserve to be shot in the head execution style. RIP Deputy Goforth.

Agree. 

I heard a theory that the killer was hired to kill the deputy, not sure if by the mistress or wife. Either way, it should be investigated. It would answer questions about the seemingly random nature of the murder.




i agree.