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Prospective jurors to gather for New Jersey bridge case

Bridget Kelly enters the federal courthouse Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 in Newark, N.J. Prosecutors in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case against Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, two former allies of New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie won an early victory Wednesday when a judge ruled they can seek to show the defendants engaged in a pattern of heavy-handed tactics against political foes.(Chris Pedota/The Record via AP) Bridget Kelly enters the federal courthouse Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 in Newark, N.J. Prosecutors in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case against Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni, two former allies of New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie won an early victory Wednesday when a judge ruled they can seek to show the defendants engaged in a pattern of heavy-handed tactics against political foes.(Chris Pedota/The Record via AP)

By Associated Press September 8, 2016 1 min read

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – More than 200 prospective jurors are expected to head to federal court for the criminal case involving lane closures at the George Washington Bridge in 2013.

Two former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie face wire fraud and civil rights counts. Bridget Kelly is Christie’s former deputy chief of staff and Bill Baroni was deputy executive director of the agency that operates the bridge.

Christie hasn’t been charged but could be subpoenaed to testify about the alleged plot in which Kelly and Baroni are said to have closed lanes near the bridge for political revenge against a local Democratic mayor who didn’t endorse the Republican governor.

Prospective jurors are to fill out a questionnaire Thursday, then return next week to answer questions from attorneys.

Opening statements are set for Sept. 19.