KINGSTON, N.Y. — A former state trooper is set for a retrial in relation to the death of an 11-year-old girl who died following a high-speed chase that occurred in December 2020. Christopher Baldner, 52, was acquitted of murder but the jury could not reach a verdict on a manslaughter charge, leading to a mistrial on that count.
After four days of deliberations, jurors reached a split decision late last week, finding Baldner not guilty on seven out of eight charges. Judge Bryan Rounds declared a mistrial concerning the unresolved manslaughter charge and indicated plans to schedule a new trial soon. The earlier acquittals remain intact and will not be reconsidered in the new proceedings.
The incident in question unfolded on December 22, 2020, when Baldner pulled over a Dodge Journey on the New York State Thruway for speeding. The vehicle, driven by Tristin Goods, was carrying his wife and two young daughters, en route to a family gathering. Following a confrontation, Baldner used pepper spray inside the vehicle, prompting Goods to flee and initiate a high-speed chase.
Prosecutors allege that Baldner intentionally rammed the SUV twice during the pursuit, ultimately causing it to overturn. The collision resulted in the tragic death of Goods’ daughter, Monica. Throughout the trial, prosecutors characterized Baldner’s actions as a dangerous and unlawful exertion of power.
Defense lawyers described the prosecution’s portrayal of Baldner as unfair, arguing that he faced a “belligerent and uncooperative driver.” They contended that the fatal crash was a result of Goods overcorrecting the vehicle after a slight collision with Baldner’s car.
The court also heard testimony from Tristin Goods, who expressed that he felt his life was in danger during the traffic stop due to the trooper’s aggressive tactics. He acknowledged holding beliefs aligned with the sovereign citizen movement, which influenced his decision to resist providing identification.
In an earlier separate matter, Baldner was acquitted of three additional reckless endangerment charges related to an incident in 2019 where he allegedly rammed a Dodge Caravan on the Thruway. Throughout the trial, defense attorneys asserted that the actions leading to both crashes were not solely Baldner’s responsibility.
Following the jury’s verdict, Baldner remains free on a $100,000 bail, with conditions of home confinement lifted by the judge. The former trooper, who retired in 2022 after nearly two decades of service with the state police, now awaits the scheduling of a new trial date for the unresolved manslaughter charge.