State Trooper Charged In Death Of 11-Year-Old: AG

ULSTER COUNTY, NY — A New York State Police trooper was accused of using his police vehicle to ram a car that resulted in the death of 11-year-old Monica Goods in December.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday that Christopher Baldner was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and first-degree reckless endangerment, all felonies.

Prosecutors said Baldner was on patrol along the state Thruway in Ulster County in December when he used his police vehicle to ram a car occupied by four members of the Goods family.

The car flipped over and Monica Goods was killed, police said.

Additionally, James said that, in September 2019, Baldner similarly endangered the lives of three people by using his police car to ram their car.

Baldner was arraigned Wednesday before Judge Bryan Rounds of Ulster County Court and was sent to jail.

He is set to make a bail application Thursday, Nov. 4.

Second-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

James said, in a prepared statement, that police officers are entrusted to protect and serve, "but Baldner allegedly violated that trust when he used his car as a deadly weapon and killed a young girl.

"While nothing will bring Monica back, we must hold law enforcement to the highest standards," she said, "which is why my office is committed to seeking justice in this case."

According to prosecutors, around 11:40 p.m. Dec. 22, Tristan Goods was driving north on the Thruway with his wife and two daughters, ages 11 and 12, on the way to visit family for Christmas.

Near mile marker 92, in Ulster County, Baldner was on patrol in his marked state police vehicle and stopped Goods for speeding.

During the stop, Baldner sprayed pepper spray into the car and Goods sped away, police said.

During the pursuit, Baldner rammed his police car into the rear of the Goods family car twice.

After the second strike, police said, Goods' car flipped over several times and came to rest upside down.

Monica Goods was ejected from the car and was killed.

The attorney general is the prosecutor in this matter pursuant to New York executive orders 147 and 7, both of which were signed by the governor.