A former New York state trooper was convicted of second-degree manslaughter on Friday for a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl.
Christopher Boldner, 47, was involved in a crash where he struck an SUV twice on a New York highway, which led to the vehicle rolling over. This tragic incident occurred in December 2020 and claimed the life of 11-year-old Monica Goods, who was riding in the SUV. Boldner’s defense claimed the crash happened after the SUV cut in front of him during the chase.
State Attorney General Letitia James expressed that while nothing can bring Monica back, the sentence provides some measure of justice for her family.
Boldner, currently out on bail, could face a sentence ranging from five to 15 years at his June 2 sentencing date.
Last November, a jury found him not guilty of murder and reckless endangerment, but they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on second-degree manslaughter, which led to a mistrial. The second trial, focusing solely on the manslaughter charge, began last month.
During the trial, Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Gashi asserted that Boldner “recklessly used his police car as a weapon” while pursuing a speeding vehicle in upstate New York. Meanwhile, Boldner’s attorney, Anthony Rico, argued that Monica’s father, Tristin Goods, acted recklessly, contributing to the fatal crash.
On December 22, 2020, Boldner had stopped Tristin Goods for speeding as he and his family were traveling north from New York City to visit relatives.
During the encounter, a dispute ensued, leading officers to use pepper spray into the vehicle. Tristin Goods then fled, prompting Boldner to pursue him.
Defense lawyers contended that Tristin Goods struck Boldner’s police vehicle twice during the chase. An expert witness for the defense testified that the collision was minor, leading to Goods losing control of the SUV.
Charles W. Murphy, president of the New York State Police Benevolent Association, voiced his disappointment over the verdict, stating that Boldner was merely acting on his training in a highly dangerous situation. He remarked that the ruling sends a concerning message to law enforcement officers who often must make quick decisions to ensure public safety.
Boldner had served nearly two decades with the state police before retiring in 2022.
