In a courtroom in Kingston, New York, an ex-state trooper is facing serious allegations related to a high-speed pursuit that led to the tragic death of an 11-year-old girl. Prosecutors have described the incident as a “fatal abuse of power,” shedding light on a case that has captured public attention.
On the night of December 22, 2020, Christopher Baldner, a former New York state trooper, engaged in a dramatic chase after pulling over a Dodge Journey for speeding. The vehicle, driven by Tristin Goods, was traveling north on the New York State Thruway with Goods’ family en route to a holiday gathering.
Following a heated exchange, Baldner resorted to pepper-spraying the vehicle’s interior, prompting Goods to flee. Baldner pursued the SUV at speeds reaching 130 mph, ramming it twice. The second collision resulted in the vehicle flipping over, according to prosecutors.
Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Gashi emphasized to the jury, “He used his patrol car as a weapon and rammed into the back of the Goods’ family car, not once, but twice.” Tragically, Monica Goods, aged 11, was found deceased at the scene. Gashi characterized Baldner’s actions as deliberate and reckless, underscoring the severity of the charges against him.
In October 2021, Baldner faced indictment on several counts, including murder, second-degree manslaughter, and first-degree reckless endangerment. Notably, some endangerment charges relate to a separate 2019 incident on the Thruway, where Baldner allegedly rammed another vehicle carrying three individuals, leading to a crash.
A defense attorney countered the prosecution’s narrative, suggesting that Baldner was being unjustly portrayed as a villain. Attorney Anthony Ricco argued that Baldner encountered a “belligerent and uncooperative driver” in Goods, who resisted showing his license and registration, and was swearing despite his family’s pleas for calm.
Ricco asserted, “New York State Trooper Baldner was laser-focused on a man who conducted himself that way in front of his wife and children.” He also denied any depravity in Baldner’s actions, suggesting that the SUV might have decelerated before the collision.
Court documents reveal that Baldner had communicated over radio that the SUV struck his patrol car. Baldner, who retired in 2022 after nearly two decades of service, is currently out on $100,000 bail. The trial is anticipated to span several weeks, with the courtroom proceedings continuing to unfold.
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