NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on jury deliberations in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing trial (all times local):
4:30 p.m.
Jurors have concluded their first full day of deliberations in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case without reaching a verdict.
The jury is weighing the fate of two former allies of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie charged with scheming to punish a mayor who didn’t endorse Christie in 2013. Deliberations began Monday afternoon.
Jurors on Tuesday asked the judge several questions about the top counts in the indictment against former Christie deputy chief of staff Bridget Kelly and former bridge authority executive Bill Baroni.
Prosecutors say they conspired to punish Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich by creating gridlock.
Jurors asked whether they could convict the defendants of deliberately causing traffic jams if they acquit them of conspiring to do so. They also asked about the nature of the conspiracy charge.
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12:55 p.m.
The jury in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case is asking the judge about an issue at the heart of the government’s case.
Two former allies of Republican New Jersey Gov. Christie are charged with scheming to punish a Democratic mayor who didn’t endorse Christie in 2013. Jurors are in their first full day of deliberations after a six-week trial.
Jurors sent a question to the judge asking whether the defendants can be convicted of conspiracy even if they didn’t believe the lane closures were meant to punish the mayor.
Defense lawyers argued Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni can’t be found guilty if a punishment plot wasn’t proved.
The judge disagreed and said she would tell jurors the defendants can be found guilty of conspiracy regardless of their motive.
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10:45 a.m.
A jury is deliberating the fate of two former allies New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie charged in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case.
The federal jury began its first full day of deliberations Tuesday in Newark.
Former Christie staffer Bridget Kelly and former bridge authority appointee Bill Baroni are charged with scheming to punish a Democratic mayor who didn’t endorse the Republican governor.
They face counts including conspiracy, wire fraud and misusing the property of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the agency that operates the George Washington Bridge. The most serious charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Christie wasn’t charged and denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of the plot.
Kelly and Baroni say they thought the lanes were closed for a traffic study.
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