UPDATE: A tearful day in court as the murder trial of former state trooper Christopher Baldner unfolds in Ulster County, New York. During emotional testimony, April Goods, stepmother of 11-year-old Monica Goods, recounted harrowing moments from the fatal crash that claimed Monica’s life on December 22, 2020.
Jurors listened intently as a chilling recording from Baldner’s cell phone was played, capturing the frantic aftermath of the crash. The courtroom echoed with the screams of Tristin, April, and Tristina Goods as they urgently sought safety. Baldner is charged with second-degree murder and other serious offenses related to the girl’s tragic death.
Prosecutors outlined a shocking scenario where Baldner, 52, allegedly rammed the Goods’ vehicle after pulling them over for speeding on the Thruway. The encounter escalated dramatically, leading to a high-speed crash that left Monica dead at the scene.
“Everybody was frantic,” April Goods testified. “We just wanted to get to safety; we couldn’t understand why we were pepper-sprayed.”
According to the prosecution, Baldner’s aggressive approach began when he stopped Tristin Goods for speeding. Witnesses described Baldner shouting profanities and wielding a pepper spray canister, which he deployed when Tristin refused to exit the vehicle.
April Goods recounted the panic that ensued when Tristin sped away from the scene, stating, “Within seconds… there was a BAM!” She described the terrifying moment the vehicle overturned, leaving the family in chaos and fear.
As the trial continues, the defense is attempting to paint a different picture. Baldner’s attorney claims the former trooper was merely trying to stop a dangerous driver, asserting that Tristin Goods was operating the vehicle erratically at speeds nearing 130 miles per hour.
The emotional testimony brought to light the human impact of this incident. April Goods revealed the heartbreaking moment she learned of Monica’s death while sitting in the back of a police car, an experience that has left her family shattered.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, the trial is set to resume at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, with the continuation of April Goods’ cross-examination. Live updates will be provided as new information emerges.
This trial serves as a poignant reminder of the heavy toll that tragic encounters can take on families and communities. The stakes are high, and the urgency of justice is palpable as the days progress in this high-profile case.
