KINGSTON – Former State Trooper Christopher Baldner has been convicted in Ulster County Court of manslaughter in connection with Thruway death of 11-year-old Monica Goods.
He faces from five to 15 years in state prison when sentenced in June.
Baldner had used his police vehicle to ram a car occupied by four members of the Goods family, resulting in the girl’s death.
On December 22, 2020 at about 11:40 p.m., Tristen Goods was traveling northbound on the Thruway with his wife and two daughters, ages 11 and 12. They were on their way home for the Christmas holiday.
As they drove through Ulster County, Trooper Baldner stopped their vehicle for speeding and during the stop, Baldner deployed pepper spray into the car with Tristen Goods speeding away.
During the chase, Baldner rammed his police car into the rear of the Goods vehicle twice. After the second strike, the Goods car skidded into the center guard rail, flipped over and came to rest upside down. The impact ejected Monica from the family vehicle causing her death.
According to state law, whenever a police or peace officer may have caused a death, the State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation must conduct a full inquiry into it.
A previous trial ended in a mistrial in November 2025.
“I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Monica Goods,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “While nothing can bring Monica back, this verdict is some semblance of justice for her loved ones.”
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