New York’s Supreme Court of Appeals has reinstated murder charges against a retired state trooper within the death of an 11-year-old black girl 4 years ago after he allegedly crashed his police vehicle into her family’s SUV “like the Dukes of Hazard,” judges say. noted within the ruling.

Christopher G. Baldner faces charges of second-degree murder within the death of Monica Goods of Brooklyn and 6 counts of first-degree reckless endangerment following his initial indictment in October 2021.

But earlier this 12 months, Ulster County Superior Court Judge Bryan Rounds found that the evidence didn’t convincingly show that Baldner acted with a “betrayed indifference to human life” during a fatal traffic accident involving the family’s Dodge Journey in December 2020

As a result, Rounds dismissed the murder charge, effectively leaving Baldner to face only lesser crimes. He also reduced the reckless endangerment charges, limiting them to second-degree violations and cutting the overall number in half.

New York Attorney General Letitia James later challenged the result, appealing to the Appellate Division of the Third Judicial Department of the State Supreme Court, which agreed to reinstate all charges within the case Opinion 4-1 was given in Albany last Thursday.

Only one judge expressed opposition to the decision, while the bulk referred to the cruel language contained in the unique indictment issued within the case.

“The grand jury heard that in September 2019, the defendant ‘came out of the woods like gambling princes’ in his state police vehicle with sirens activated when he observed a minivan traveling at 80 miles per hour,” he added. is the opinion.

“The evidence of the December 2020 incident is comparable. The grand jury heard from witnesses that at roughly 11:40 p.m., the defendant “was looking to see if he could get one last ticket” before meeting his partner when he stopped an SUV for speeding.”

The court referred to the classic television series “The Dukes of Hazzard” – known for its shocking automobile chases and high-speed stunts.

In his dissent, Justice J.P. Egan Jr. admitted that Baldner “performed his job in a reckless and undisciplined manner” but argued that his actions didn’t constitute a “total disregard for human life”.

But the bulk disagreed, declaring that even when Baldner applied the brakes on his work vehicle throughout the pursuit, it was to “intentionally ram the SUV.”

The court emphasized that such actions are permitted under state police regulations only within the presence of a superior officer, and that Baldner’s behavior was consistent with a previous pattern of behavior.

The girl’s father, Tristan Goods, was behind the wheel of the SUV when the situation rapidly escalated following a traffic stop.

“(D)efendant initiated the traffic stop by angrily and vulgarly accusing Goods of driving over 100 miles per hour,” the ruling said, according to an affidavit filed by the girl’s father. “An argument ensued between the defendant and Goods in front of Goods’ wife and two children, who attempted to calm him down.”

Witnesses say the defendant left to pick up a supervisor but returned and pepper-sprayed the SUV without notice, causing Goods’ wife and kids to scream in pain. Goods, shielding his eyes, fled the scene when the spray can was found contained in the vehicle.

Baldner immediately gave chase, reporting to the dispatcher that the SUV was “getting away” and his pepper spray was still inside.

James’ post-indictment statement states that throughout the pursuit, Baldner rear-ended an SUV twice with the police vehicle. After the second time, the SUV rolled over several times before coming to rest the wrong way up.

Monica Goods was ejected from the vehicle and died from her injuries before the ambulance arrived.

The ruling stated that the appellate court accepted the daddy’s account of the incident, while emphasizing a very powerful details regarding the circumstances of every collision.

Attorney General James released a statement last week praising the court’s decision to hold Baldner accountable.

“As a former state trooper, Christopher Baldner was responsible for serving and protecting the people of New York, but the indictment accuses him of violating that sacred oath and using his vehicle as a deadly weapon, resulting in the senseless death of a young girl,” Jacob wrote.

“While nothing can return Monica Goods to the loving arms of her family, this court decision will enable my office to continue its efforts to obtain some semblance of justice for the Goods family. We must hold law enforcement to the highest standards and we will continue to work on this case to ensure justice is served.”

In one other statement concerning the ruling, the New York State Police Benevolent Association criticized the court’s decision.

“We strongly disagree with the decision, which we believe inappropriately reinstated the charge of ‘depraved indifference,’” the union said.

“We are deeply concerned that this ruling, if upheld, would set a dangerous precedent that would undermine the power of law enforcement officers to effectively do their jobs and protect and serve the general public. The PBA will proceed to support retired Trooper Baldner and canopy his legal fees as he seeks permission to appeal this decision.

The White House on Thursday declined to comment on the state execution of Marcellus Williams in Missouri, sparking outrage amongst those that maintain he’s innocent.

Williams, 55, who had been on death row for nearly three a long time, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday in a 1998 case during which he was convicted of murder. Despite the St. County Attorney’s attempt to appeal. Louis, Wesley Bell, from conviction due to concerns about the evidence and the jury selection process, state Attorney General Andrew Bailey blocked it.

St. County Circuit Court Judge Louis also denied a motion to overturn Williams’ conviction. Missouri Gov. Michael Parsons, the state Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene despite questions on his guilt.

“Supports the Attorney General’s decision to issue a moratorium on federal executions while the Department of Justice conducts a comprehensive review of policies and procedures governing the federal death penalty.”

Lifestyle

A Louisiana lawmaker who, under pressure from several members of Congress, retracted some offensive comments he made on social media about Haitian immigrants continues to face backlash online.

U.S. House Representative Clay Higgins posted comments on his official X account following false and inflammatory remarks Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance made about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, claiming they were stealing and eating their pets neighbors.

Then, Haitians in Springfield were threatened with violence, including: over 30 bomb threatswhich forced the evacuation of colleges and government buildings.

Following the local disagreement that followed, the Haitian Bridge Alliance filed criminal charges against Trump and Vance, prompting a response from Higgins.

Higgins not only cited the previous president’s remarks in a few of Wednesday’s comments, but also called Haitians “thugs” and “gangsters” who must leave the U.S.

“A lot of laughs. These Haitians are wild. Eating pets, vudu, the nastiest country in the Western Hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters… But damn if they don’t feel sophisticated right now pressing charges against our President and Vice President,” Higgins wrote in his now deleted article post. “All these thugs better come to their senses and get their asses out of our country before January 20.”

After being questioned by CNN reporters, he showed no remorse and doubled down on his comments.

“It’s all true,” Higgins said Wednesday. “If you wish, I can write one other controversial post tomorrow. This means we now have freedom of speech. I’ll say what I would like.”

His remarks led to violent tensions within the chambers of Congress as black legislators sharply condemned his remarks and called for censorship.

“America is a nation of immigrants where all are welcome,” said the Congressional Black Caucus statement read partially. “Every member of Congress must be clear that we must eliminate hate in all its forms. It is time to turn the page on this pattern of vilifying and villainizing immigrants for political purposes.”

Only after Higgins confronted some members of Congress did he remove his post and retract his comments. House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), he stated that Higgins “regrets some of the language he used,” calling him “an honest and open person” and “a man of very principle.”

“You never want to intentionally hurt someone’s feelings, and that post was intended for Haitian gangs, you know? “I mean, Haiti is a country, not a color,” Higgins he said reporters on Thursday.

“The unintended impact that one of my colleagues expressed very honestly and kindly touched me as a gentleman,” he added.

Many X-users didn’t buy Higgins’ justification for his comments, noting that it was a weak response in light of the hateful speech he used. Several people called on the congressman to issue a correct apology.

“It was racist, xenophobic and disgusting,” one person said of Higgins’ social media post. “When other people apologize on your behalf, it shows that not only was what you said terrible, but you don’t regret saying it.”

Oh, is it that straightforward? You can lie and say whatever you wish so long as you pray afterwards?

Now I do know why so many Republicans pretend to be Christians.

— Stefan 🥼 (@StefanK1117) September 25, 2024

“He doesn’t know how to behave and he owes everyone, and that means an apology,” wrote another person.

“Oh, how easy is it? You can lie and say whatever you wish so long as you pray afterwards? Now I do know why so many Republicans pretend to be Christians,” wrote one other.

Other he joked “@MikeJohnson So you and @RepClayHiggins may like one another, but I prayed about it and Jesus told me that he thinks you each are a few racist morons and that he is disgusted with you each. His words… not mine. Amen.”

Higgins represents Louisiana’s third District within the House of Representatives, which covers much of the southwestern a part of the state. He was first elected in 2016 and is widely often known as one of the crucial conservative members of Congress and a Trump supporter.

Shortly before running for Congress, he resigned as a captain within the St. Parish Sheriff’s Office. Landry after appearing in a viral video by which he called a bunch of mostly black gang members “animals,” “thugs” and “heathens.” ”

At the sheriff’s office, Higgins was the general public information officer. His appearances in Crime Stoppers videos brought him widespread Internet fame and made him a favourite amongst residents of his jurisdiction.

Many people online called him “Cajun John Wayne.” He even began a private enterprise selling merchandise akin to mugs and T-shirts using his badge and uniform, which Salon said, as Sheriff Bobby Guidroz confirmed, violated department policy.

Before working in St. Landry Higgins was a patrol officer with the Opelousas Police Department starting in 2004. He resigned from his job in 2007 after he reportedly assaulted an unarmed black man after which made false statements in police records about the incident, claiming he had been attacked First. Rather than face disciplinary consequences, he resigned and later called a police investigator to apologize.