Former trooper sentenced in fatal crash expected to appeal

KINGSTON―A former New York State trooper from Durham was sentenced Tuesday to two-and-a-half to seven-and-a-half years in prison for his role in a 2020 on-duty crash that claimed the life of an 11-year-old Brooklyn girl.

Christopher Baldner, 48, was remanded to jail to await transfer to a state facility after Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds handed down the sentence.

Baldner was convicted in March on one count of second-degree manslaughter in what was his second trial. In November, a jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder and multiple counts of reckless endangerment but remained deadlocked on the charge of second-degree manslaughter.

Rounds could have sentenced Baldner to a maximum of five to 15 years or given him as little as an unconditional discharge that would have allowed him to walk free.

“Chris Baldner intends to appeal and we'll see what the appellate division says," defense attorney John Ingrassia told CBS news.

The case dates back to the night of December 22, 2020, when Baldner, in a marked State Police patrol vehicle, pulled over a Dodge Journey that was traveling northbound near Exit 19 of the New York State Thruway at 101 miles per hour.

The driver, Tristin Goods, was traveling with his then-wife and two daughters, including Monica Goods who was in the backseat and not wearing a seatbelt.  

A verbal altercation ensued between Balder and Tristin Goods―who refused to produce his driver’s license―before Baldner deployed a can of pepper spray into the vehicle. Tristin Goods then took off, sparking a pursuit that reached speeds of more than 130 miles per hour.

According to the New York State Attorney General’s Office, that prosecuted the case, Baldner twice used a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver that involves moving the front end of a police vehicle into the rear quarter panel of a fleeing vehicle causing it to spin to a stop.

The second impact caused the Goods’ vehicle to flip over several times before coming to a rest upside down.

Tristin Goods, who has never faced charges, sustained minor injuries, while his then-wife and one daughter were not hurt. Monica Goods was found dead and pinned under the SUV.

During Tuesday's sentencing, Monica Goods’ mother and sister gave emotional testimony and spoke of the girl that would today be 16 years old. Investigative Counsel Joelle Morabito-Cruz of the Attorney General’s Office read a statement from Tristin Goods, saying in part, “This monster not only took my child but also caused an extensive amount of mental anguish for my family and myself.”

But Baldner’s defense team has maintained that had it not been for Tristin Goods’ actions that night, his daughter would still be alive.

In audio recordings played during trial, Monica Goods could be heard saying what are believed to have been her last words to her father: "Give him your license, Daddy. Stop, Daddy."

Trooper Charles Murphy, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, said in a statement that the union will continue to support Baldner as he considers his legal options.

Baldner retired from the State Police in 2022 after serving nearly 20 years.

“We continue to maintain that the verdict against former Trooper Baldner will have a chilling effect on law enforcement officers who must make split-second decisions while trying to do an incredibly difficult job,” Murphy said.

Baldner is the first trooper in New York State to be convicted of a pursuit-related homicide.

Two civil lawsuits filed against Baldner in federal court by Monica Goods’ mother and her former stepmother remain ongoing.