It may be that all eyes in Trenton are going to be on Newark at the federal court where Monday potential jurors in the Bridgegate trial will be questioned. There’s some pre-trial maneuvering. NJTV News Chief Political Correspondent Michael Aron spoke with Anchor Mary Alice Williams about what’s going on.
Aron: There was some skirmishing today over what should be admissible at the Bridgegate trial. The attorney for Bill Baroni said there should be no discussion of the Christie campaign trying to win the endorsement of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. That same lawyer said we should keep out of evidence photos the photo of Baroni smiling with David Wildstein and Gov. Christie at a 9/11 anniversary ceremony. He also wanted no mention of school kids missing school because of the traffic. And he wanted to rule out of evidence the video at which Baroni told a legislative hearing that this was all just a traffic study. Bridget Kelly’s attorney disagreed on most of those motions. He wanted most of that material in the trial. Judge Susan Wigenton decided it will be part of the trial. She rejected the defense motions.
Williams: There was also some action at a court in Philadelphia, right?
Aron: The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia decided today that the list of co-conspirators in Bridgegate will remain secret. A consortium of news organizations, including NJTV, wanted that list made public. Judge Wigenton wanted to make it public. She was overruled by the court of appeals. The actual trial, opening arguments are set for Sept. 19, a week from Monday.
Williams: OK, thank you Michael.