New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the indictment of Christopher Baldner, a member of the New York State Police, on murder charges. The indictment alleges that Baldner, while on patrol on the New York State Thruway, used his police vehicle to ram a car, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old.
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A member of the New York State Police was indicted on murder charges after the death of an 11-year-old Brooklyn girl.
The indictment against Christopher Baldner, announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday, alleges that Baldner, while on patrol on the New York State Thruway, used his police vehicle to ram a car, resulting in the death of a child.
On Dec. 22, 2020, around midnight, Tristan Goods was driving in the northbound lane of the Thruway with his wife and two daughters, aged 11 and 12. Trooper Baldner was on patrol and stopped the Goods family car for speeding in Ulster County. During the stop, Baldner allegedly deployed pepper spray into the car and Goods sped away.
During the pursuit, Baldner reportedly rammed his police vehicle twice into the rear of Goods' car. On the second strike, the car flipped over several times and landed upside down. The AG said the impact ejected Monica Goods from the car, killing her.
“Police officers are entrusted to protect and serve, but Trooper Baldner allegedly violated that trust when he used his car as a deadly weapon and killed a young girl,” said James.
The indictment also alleges, in a separate incident, that Baldner endangered the lives of three passengers by also using his police vehicle to ram their car. This incident was in September 2019.
Baldner was arraigned on Oct. 27 in Ulster County Court and was remanded. James said Baldner will make a bail application and the hearing is set for Nov. 4. Murder in the second degree carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
