KINGSTON, N.Y. — The Christopher Baldner murder trial intensified Thursday as jurors viewed harrowing footage from a high-speed crash that led to the tragic death of 11-year-old Monica Goods. The video, captured by the body camera of an Ulster County sheriff’s deputy, portrayed the chaotic aftermath of the December 2020 incident, displaying the wreckage of the Dodge Journey and the frantic efforts of emergency responders to extricate Monica’s body from beneath the overturned vehicle.
Baldner, a former state trooper, is facing serious charges including second-degree murder and manslaughter. Prosecutors allege that Baldner, with “depraved indifference to human life,” collided with the Goods’ SUV twice during a high-speed chase, ultimately causing it to crash into a guardrail and flip over. The impact resulted in Monica being ejected from the vehicle, which subsequently landed on her.
The defense argues that Baldner was pursuing an erratically driving Tristin Goods, who allegedly fought with Baldner at a traffic stop before fleeing at high speeds. They have suggested that the fatal collision could have stemmed from Tristin’s sudden deceleration.
Sheriff’s Deputy Collin Reynolds, a key witness, testified about arriving at the scene, noting that the SUV was upside down and facing the wrong direction on the highway. He pointed out damage to Baldner’s cruiser, indicating the force of the collision. As tense moments unfolded, the video captured heated exchanges between Baldner and Tristin Goods, with both men expressing anger and blame.
Among those providing testimony was Jeffrey Heppner, a volunteer firefighter who described the grim discovery of Monica’s body. Under questioning, he confirmed that Monica appeared to have been thrown from the car during the collision. This moment added gravity to the ongoing proceedings, further highlighting the tragic outcome of the high-speed chase.
State Trooper Robert VanBlankenburgh also took the stand, detailing his involvement in taking Tristin Goods into custody following the crash. Much of the courtroom drama was centered around the cross-examination of April Goods, Tristin’s estranged wife, who was present in the vehicle during the incident. The defense meticulously sought to underscore inconsistencies in her statements made during the civil lawsuit deposition and her interactions with law enforcement shortly after the accident.
Defense Attorney Anthony Ricco has framed Tristin Goods as the catalyst for chaos, emphasizing how he engaged Baldner in a confrontation while their children were aboard the vehicle. Ricco replayed audio recordings of the confrontation, illustrating the heated moments leading up to the dangerous chase.
April Goods acknowledged under questioning that her husband exhibited signs of “seething rage” and had unresolved issues with law enforcement following the death of his brother at the hands of a state trooper. These revelations painted a complex picture of the events that transpired that fateful night.
As the trial progresses, Baldner faces additional charges relating to a previous incident in 2019, where he allegedly rammed another vehicle, raising further questions about his conduct as a law enforcement officer. The court will reconvene Friday morning to continue proceedings in this high-stakes case that has captivated the community and highlighted issues of accountability within law enforcement.