Kingston, New York – A former New York state trooper accused of crashing his car into an SUV during a high-speed chase that left an 11-year-old girl dead was found guilty of manslaughter Friday in his second trial.
Prosecutors say Christopher Baldner hit the SUV twice on a New York state road, causing it to lose control and roll over. 11-year-old Monica Goodes, who was in the SUV, was killed in the crash in December 2020. Baldner’s attorneys said the crash occurred after the SUV blocked the road in front of the officer as he passed by him during the chase.
A The jury acquitted Baldner of murder and reckless endangerment charges in November, but they deadlocked on the second-degree manslaughter charge. Judge Brian Rounds declared a mistrial and the second trial on the only remaining charge began last month.
Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Gashi told jurors during Baldner’s recent trial that he chose to “recklessly use his patrol car as a weapon” during the pursuit north of New York City. Defense attorney Anthony Ricco said it was the driver of the SUV — Monica’s father, Tristin Goodes — who acted recklessly and caused her death. According to Daily Freeman.
Baldner pulled Tristin Goodes over for speeding on the interstate near Kingston on the night of Dec. 22, 2020. Goodes, his wife and two daughters were driving north from New York City to visit family.
Baldner and Goodes argued, and the trooper pepper-sprayed the car. The goods took off and Baldner gave chase.
Defense attorneys said Goodes crashed Trooper Baldner’s car twice during the chase. A defense accident reconstruction expert testified that Goodes lost control of the SUV when he overcorrected after a “very minor collision.” The newspaper reported.
Charles W. Murphy, president of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, said the union was deeply disappointed by the ruling and that Baldner was “simply following his training when he responded to a rapidly developing and extremely dangerous situation.”
“This finding sends a troubling message to all law enforcement officers who must make quick decisions to protect the public,” Murphy said in a written statement.
The former trooper retired in 2022 after nearly 20 years with the state police.