KINGSTON, N.Y. (AP) — A former New York state trooper accused of ramming his car into an SUV that crashed during a high-speed chase was acquitted of murder in the death of a 11-year-old passenger.

A jury on Thursday found Christopher Baldner, 52, not guilty on seven of eight counts and returned to court Friday to continue deliberating the last remaining charge, manslaughter.

Baldner’s case involves his actions on the night of Dec. 22, 2020, when he pulled over a Dodge Journey driven by Tristin Goods for speeding on the New York State Thruway.

The driver, his wife and two daughters were heading north from New York City for a holiday with family when Baldner stopped them near Kingston.

Baldner and Goods argued and the trooper pepper-sprayed the inside of the vehicle. Goods drove off, lea

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