Baldner Convicted of Manslaughter in Fatal Trooper Incident

New York – In a chilling turn of events, former New York State Police Trooper Christopher Baldner, 47, from Catskill, has been convicted on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree. The verdict comes after Baldner’s police vehicle was used to ram the Goods family’s car during a traffic stop on the NY Thruway in December 2020, resulting in the tragic death of 11-year-old Monica Goods.

Baldner’s conviction by a jury in Ulster County Court carries a heavy sentence, with a maximum of five to 15 years in prison. Currently held on bail at $100,000, Baldner is set to return to court for sentencing on June 2, 2026.

The incident began when Tristin Goods was driving his family home for the Christmas holiday. Trooper Baldner stopped their car for speeding and deployed pepper spray inside it, causing Mr. Goods to flee. A high-speed pursuit followed, with Baldner ramming the Goods’ car twice with his police vehicle before a fatal accident.

Attorney General Letitia James expressed her condolences to Monica’s family, stating that while the verdict does not bring back Monica, it offers some measure of justice for her loved ones. The case was thoroughly investigated by the Office of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation Unit and prosecuted with dedication by Investigative Counsel Joelle Morabito-Cruz and Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Gashi.

Baldner’s conviction follows a previous mistrial in November 2025. The OSI, part of the Division for Criminal Justice, is committed to ensuring justice is served in such tragic incidents, working under the oversight of Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

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