Charges Reinstated Against Former Trooper Over Girl's Crash Death

ULSTER, NY — An appellate court has reinstated murder charges against a former New York State trooper over a thruway chase that ended in the death of an 11-year-old girl, saying prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury that Christopher Baldner acted with depraved indifference, New York Attorney General Letitia James said Friday.

Baldner is accused of using his police vehicle to ram a car occupied by four members of the Goods family, resulting in the death of 11-year-old Monica Goods, while on patrol along the New York State Thruway in Ulster County in December 2020, prosecutors said.

The Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court issued a ruling reinstating the charges of second-degree murder (depraved indifference murder) and first-degree reckless endangerment, James announced.

The New York State Troopers PBA released the following statement in response:

We strongly disagree with the decision, which we believe improperly reinstated the ‘depraved indifference’ charge. We are deeply concerned that this ruling, if it stands, sets a dangerous precedent that could put a chill on law enforcement officers’ ability to do their job effectively and protect and serve the public. The PBA will continue to support retired Trooper Baldner and cover his legal expenses as he seeks leave to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeals.

The reckless endangerment charges also include a separate incident in September 2019 where Baldner is accused of using his police vehicle to ram a different passenger car, endangering the lives of the three passengers, prosecutors said.

James said:

As a former State Trooper, Christopher Baldner was responsible for serving and protecting the people of New York, but the indictment alleges that he violated that sacred oath and used his vehicle as a deadly weapon, resulting in the senseless death of a young girl.

While nothing can return Monica Goods to her family’s loving arms, this decision from the court will enable my office to continue our efforts to seek some semblance of justice for the Goods family.

We must hold law enforcement professionals to the highest standards, and we will continue our work on this case to ensure that justice is served.

James announced the indictment of Baldner in October 2021 on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter and first-degree reckless endangerment.

In February 2023, an Ulster County Court judge dismissed the second-degree murder and reduced the reckless endangerment charges on the grounds that the evidence presented to the grand jury was insufficient.

James had appealed that ruling.