A New York family is one step closer to justice after a state trooper was recently charged for murder in the death of an innocent young girl.
Monica Goods was just 11-years-old when New York state trooper Christopher Baldner rammed his cruiser into her father’s vehicle, killing her.
On the evening of December 22nd, 2020, Baldner was performing a traffic stop on Tristan Goods for speeding. During the stop, Baldner sprayed mace inside the car that held Tristan, his wife, Monica, and her 12-year-old sister. Tristan frantically tried to get away from the officer, who quickly pursued him. Baldner, who appeared hellbent on tormenting the family, rammed his car into the back of Tristan’s car twice at a high rate of speed. The second impact caused the vehicle to flip over multiple times. Sadly, Monica was ejected and died from her injuries.
This was not Baldner’s first time using his work vehicle as a deadly weapon. A year before Monica’s murder, he crashed his car into the back of another vehicle. This collision injured three passengers.
The 43-year-old has been was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and reckless endangerment. Upon surrendering to authorities on Wednesday, he was suspended without pay.
Baldner was arraigned before Judge Bryan Rounds, who ordered that he remain behind bars. His bail hearing is scheduled for November 4th. He is facing 25 years to life if convicted.
