A former New York State Police trooper has been convicted of manslaughter for his role in a high-speed pursuit that ended in the death of an 11-year-old girl.
Christopher Baldner, 47, was found guilty on Friday following his second trial. The case stems from a December 22, 2020 traffic stop on the New York State Thruway in Ulster County.
According to prosecutors, Baldner stopped a vehicle for speeding. Inside the car were a husband and wife along with their two daughters, ages 11 and 12. During the stop, Baldner allegedly sprayed pepper spray into the vehicle. Authorities said the driver then fled the scene, prompting Baldner to pursue the car.
Prosecutors argued that during the chase, Baldner rammed the family’s vehicle twice. The impact caused the car to lose control, strike a guardrail, and overturn. Eleven-year-old Monica Goods was thrown from the vehicle and died as a result of the crash.
Baldner had initially faced murder charges, but those were later dismissed. His first trial ended in a mistrial in November 2025 after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision.
Following the latest verdict, attorneys for the victim’s family said the conviction brings a measure of accountability after years of legal proceedings. Baldner is scheduled to be sentenced in June and could face up to 15 years in prison.
