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Testimony resumes today (Tuesday, March 10) in the retrial of former New York State Trooper Christopher Baldner in Kingston. Baldner faces charges of second-degree manslaughter for the death of 11-year-old Monica Goods during a high-speed chase on the New York State Thruway in December 2020.
During the chase, Baldner allegedly rammed his cruiser into the SUV driven by Monica's father, Tristin Goods, causing it to overturn. Monica, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and died. The first trial ended in a mistrial after the jury deadlocked on the manslaughter charge, despite acquitting Baldner of second-degree murder and reckless endangerment charges.
According to the Daily Freeman, yesterday's testimony included statements from Monica's father, who recounted the events of that tragic night. The trial, which began on February 18, has also featured testimony from state troopers and crash reconstruction experts.
Baldner remains free on $100,000 bail. If convicted, he faces a sentence of one-and-a-half to 15 years in prison. The trial is expected to continue with more witness testimonies and expert analysis in the coming days.