CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A former police officer faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty of felony murder in the 2023 death of his ex-girlfriend, Kara Akins. The verdict came after a five-day trial that relied on a variety of evidence, including surveillance footage and medical reports, shedding light on a tragic incident that unfolded on the night of November 28.
Lawrence Goodine, 46, was convicted on August 21, including charges of aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. The jury also rendered second-degree murder convictions on two additional counts that initially faced first-degree murder allegations. Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman sentenced Goodine to life in prison for the felony murder charge, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for October 22 to address the remaining convictions.
The jury’s decision followed intense deliberation, lasting approximately six to seven hours. Prosecutors argued that Goodine’s actions on the night in question constituted not only felony murder but also a calculated effort to manipulate the scene following Akins’ death. Key to their case was video evidence from a neighbor’s motion-activated camera, which depicted Goodine forcibly restraining Akins near her home.
According to the prosecution, the recorded footage captured Akins’ desperate resistance as she questioned Goodine’s actions. Hours later, in the early hours of November 29, Goodine called 911, reporting that Akins was unresponsive. When police arrived, they found her lifeless in the living room, prompting investigators to piece together the events that had transpired.
State officials provided evidence indicating that Goodine attempted to disguise the nature of Akins’ death, including washing blood from her face and adjusting her position. Prosecutors contended that these efforts aimed to create a narrative consistent with an accidental overdose rather than a homicide. The jury’s conviction for tampering with evidence underscored their belief that Goodine sought to alter key details about the scene.
The medical examiner’s report presented a stark contradiction to the defense’s claims about Akins’ death. Findings revealed that she died from manual strangulation and blunt-force injuries to her head, categorizing her death as a homicide. Prosecutors argued that the physical evidence did not support an overdose theory, challenging Goodine’s repeated assertions that Akins had consumed substances before her death.
Defense attorney Neal Pinkston argued that the investigation was flawed, pointing to gaps in evidence collection and the fact that police had not initially treated the scene as a homicide. He emphasized that a large rug found at the scene was discarded without testing, which could have provided crucial insights. Pinkston also raised questions regarding DNA evidence that contained mixtures from multiple individuals, highlighting the uncertainties in the forensic analysis.
The case was further complicated by the existence of no-contact orders that were in place following earlier incidents of domestic violence between Goodine and Akins. The violation of this court order became a significant part of the charges against Goodine, illustrating the broader context of their tumultuous relationship.
Throughout the trial, Akins’ family attended, sharing memories of her as a beloved mother and community advocate. Known for founding an outreach program for children in Chattanooga, her life and contributions were highlighted amid the courtroom proceedings and legal discussions surrounding her death.
Goodine’s conviction for felony murder imposed a life sentence, while the upcoming October hearing will address additional sentencing for the other charges. Discussions about a potential appeal by the defense team are ongoing, yet no subsequent legal motions have emerged to alter the jury’s verdict or overturn the life sentence that he has received. The case remains a poignant chapter in the ongoing dialogue about domestic violence and its tragic consequences.