A former New York state trooper accused of ramming his automobile into an SUV throughout a high-speed chase resulting in the demise of an 11-year-old woman was convicted of manslaughter Friday at his second trial.
Prosecutors say Christopher Baldner, 47, rammed the SUV twice on the New York State Thruway, inflicting it to lose management and flip over. Eleven-year-old Monica Items, who was within the SUV, was killed within the December 2020 crash. Baldner’s attorneys stated the accident occurred after the SUV lower the trooper off as he pulled alongside through the pursuit.
“Whereas nothing can convey Monica again, this verdict is a few semblance of justice for her family members,” state Legal professional Normal Letitia James stated in a ready assertion.
The retired trooper, who remained free on bail, faces a most of 5 to fifteen years in jail when he’s sentenced June 2.
A jury acquitted Baldner of homicide and reckless endangerment expenses in November, however they deadlocked on a second-degree manslaughter cost. Decide Bryan Rounds declared a mistrial and a second trial on the lone remaining cost started final month.
Assistant State Legal professional Normal Jennifer Gashi advised jurors throughout Baldner’s newest trial that he selected to “recklessly use his patrol automobile as a weapon” through the chase north of New York Metropolis. Protection legal professional Anthony Ricco argued it was the driving force of the SUV — Monica’s father, Tristin Items — who acted recklessly and brought about her demise, in response to the Day by day Freeman.
Baldner pulled Tristin Items over for rushing on the freeway close to Kingston the night time of Dec. 22, 2020. Items, his spouse and two daughters have been heading north from New York Metropolis to go to household.
Baldner and Items argued, and the trooper pepper-sprayed the within the automobile. Items drove off and Baldner pursued.
Protection attorneys stated Items collided with Baldner’s trooper automobile twice through the pursuit. An accident reconstruction professional for the protection testified that Items misplaced management of the SUV when he overcorrected after “a really minor influence,” the newspaper reported.
Charles W. Murphy, president of the Police Benevolent Affiliation of the New York State Troopers, stated the union was deeply upset by the decision and that Baldner was “merely following his coaching when he responded to a quickly evolving and extremely harmful state of affairs.”
“This end result sends a troubling message to all regulation enforcement officers who should make split-second choices to guard the general public,” Murphy stated in a written assertion.
Baldner retired in 2022 after nearly 20 years with the state police.
