Ex-trooper Convicted Of Manslaughter In High-speed Chase That Killed 11-year-old Girl

A erstwhile New York authorities trooper was convicted of manslaughter Friday astatine his 2nd trial aft being accused of ramming his conveyance into an SUV during a high-speed pursuit that ended pinch nan decease of an 11-year-old girl.

Prosecutors said Christopher Baldner, 47, rammed nan SUV doubly connected nan New York State Thruway, causing nan conveyance to suffer power and flip over. Monica Goods, 11, who was wrong nan SUV, died successful nan December 2020 crash. Baldner’s attorneys based on nan collision happened aft nan SUV trim him disconnected while he was pulling alongside it during nan pursuit.

“While thing tin bring Monica back, this verdict is immoderate semblance of justness for her loved ones,” authorities Attorney General Letitia James said successful a statement.

The retired trooper, who remains free connected bail, faces a imaginable condemnation of 5 to 15 years successful situation erstwhile he is sentenced connected June 2.

A assemblage acquitted Baldner of execution and reckless endangerment charges successful November, but they deadlocked connected a second-degree manslaughter charge. Judge Bryan Rounds declared a mistrial, and a 2nd trial connected nan lone remaining complaint began past month.

Assistant State Attorney General Jennifer Gashi told jurors during Baldner’s latest proceedings that he chose to “recklessly usage his patrol car arsenic a weapon” during nan pursuit northbound of New York City. Defense lawyer Anthony Ricco based on it was nan driver of nan SUV — Monica’s father, Tristin Goods — who acted recklessly and caused her death, according to nan Daily Freeman.

Baldner pulled Tristin Goods complete for speeding connected nan road adjacent Kingston nan nighttime of Dec. 22, 2020. Goods, his woman and 2 daughters were heading northbound from New York City to sojourn family.

Baldner and Goods argued, and nan trooper pepper-sprayed nan wrong nan vehicle. Goods drove disconnected and Baldner pursued.

Defense attorneys said Goods collided pinch Baldner’s trooper car doubly during nan pursuit. An mishap reconstruction master for nan defense testified that Goods mislaid power of nan SUV erstwhile he overcorrected aft “a very insignificant impact,” nan newspaper reported.

Charles W. Murphy, president of nan Police Benevolent Association of nan New York State Troopers, said nan national was profoundly disappointed by nan verdict and that Baldner was “simply pursuing his training erstwhile he responded to a quickly evolving and highly vulnerable situation.”

“This result sends a troubling connection to each rule enforcement officers who must make split-second decisions to protect nan public,” Murphy said successful a written statement.

Baldner retired successful 2022 aft almost 20 years pinch nan authorities police.