Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 15, 1995 TAG: 9506150052
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
The jury deliberated for only 90 minutes before making its final recommendation on the capital-murder charge. The same panel earlier in the day took 90 minutes to recommend the maximum four life terms plus 73 years in prison for four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of malicious wounding and seven weapons charges. He was found guilty of all 14 counts Tuesday.
Prosecutor David Hicks said following the jury's recommendation that the slayings were ``carried out in a manner that was vile beyond anything I have ever seen, and beyond anything the jury had seen.''
Hicks said getting the death sentence was bittersweet.
``Any taking of a life is supposed to be associated with discomfort and pain,'' he said. ``I have my own discomfort because of my own beliefs ... but that's the law and what the law allows.''
Defense attorneys Robert Johnson and Susan Hansen did not make themselves available to reporters after court adjourned for the day.
Goins, 21, killed five members of former girlfriend Tamika Jones' family in their Gilpin Court public housing apartment. All of the slain were shot in the head at close range. Prosecutors said the rampage was motivated by Goins' anger that Tamika was pregnant with his child.
Tamika, then 14, and her 2-year-old sister Kenya survived the attack. Tamika was shot nine times, and the 7-month-old fetus she was carrying died. Her parents, Daphne Jones, 29, and James Randolph Jr., 34, were killed, as were her siblings, Nicole, 9, David, 4, and Robert, 3.
Goins stood with his hands clasped in front of him as the Richmond Circuit Court clerk read the recommendation. He displayed no emotion.
Tamika also was in the courtroom, surrounded by supporters and security, as she has been for each appearance. She held hands with people on both sides and smiled when the clerk read the recommendation.
Robert Dillard, the father of David, Robert and Kenya Jones, said he was happy with the outcome, but that it wouldn't change his suffering.
``Killing him is still not going to bring my children back,'' said Dillard. ``But I think he got what he deserved. I watched him play with my kids, and I still can't believe he did that to them.''
Dillard said he learned about the massacre on television while in the Greensville Correctional Center for drug-related parole violations.
``If this isn't the crime that a person can forfeit his life for, then God help us all,'' said Hicks in arguing passionately for death.
``It's the only verdict I see that the jury could have come back with,'' said James Randolph Sr., Tamika's grandfather, whose son was shot nine times. ``When you take somebody's life, you can't give it back.''
Hansen asked for understanding from the jury during the sentencing hearing, saying Goins had a troubled childhood. She also asked the jurors to consider his age and called three of his family members to testify about his unstable family background.
His aunt, Paulette Dickerson, said Goins was shuttled between his mother and grandmother because his mother is a drug addict who neglected him and showed him no love. Goins' father died about six years ago, she said.
``All he's ever wanted was a family and love,'' said Dickerson. ``If he's deranged ... it's because he has never known love.''
Judge Thomas Nance set formal sentencing for July 18. Under state law, death sentences are automatically appealed.
by CNB