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Testimony is set to resume today in Kingston in the murder trial of former New York State Trooper Christopher Baldner. The jury will hear again from a prosecution witness who previously testified that Baldner intentionally rammed into an SUV driven by Tristin Goods at speeds nearing 130 miles per hour during a 2020 pursuit. The crash resulted in the tragic death of 11-year-old Monica Goods, who was ejected from the vehicle.
Richard Ruth, an expert witness on vehicle event data recorders, testified that data from Baldner's police cruiser showed two collisions with the Dodge Journey driven by Goods. Ruth's analysis indicated that Baldner did not attempt to steer away but instead aligned his vehicle to strike the Journey. The second impact caused the SUV to roll, leading to Monica Goods' fatal ejection.
Baldner, 52, faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and reckless endangerment related to the December 2020 crash. He also faces charges from a similar incident in 2019. The defense argues that Tristin Goods acted recklessly by refusing to comply with Baldner's orders and suggests Goods' actions contributed to the collision.
The trial continues under the scrutiny of the public and legal experts, with Ruth expected to provide further testimony. If convicted, Baldner could face decades in prison.