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Lawyers grill potential jurors in New Jersey bridge trial

Associated Press
Published | Updated

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly, right, and her attorney Michael Critchley Jr., arrive at Federal Court for a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Kelly and Bill Baroni, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former top appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, are facing charges of politically motivated lane closures of the George Washington Bridge in 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former Deputy Chief of Staff Bridget Anne Kelly arrives at Federal Court for a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Kelly and Bill Baroni, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former top appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, are facing charges of politically motivated lane closures of the George Washington Bridge in 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Bill Baroni, third left, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's former top appointee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and his attorney Michael Baldassare, second left, arrive at Federal Court for a hearing Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Newark, N.J. Baroni and Bridget Anne Kelly, Christie's former Deputy Chief of Staff, are facing charges of politically motivated lane closures of the George Washington Bridge in 2013. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Jury selection has ended for the day in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing trial in New Jersey.

Attorneys for both sides used several challenges to dismiss potential jurors they felt were biased. They will return Wednesday to resume questioning, until they agree on a panel of 12 jurors and four alternates.

Opening statements are scheduled for Monday for the trial of two former allies of Gov. Chris Christie.

Bridget Kelly and Bill Baroni were indicted last year on charges they caused gridlock near the busy crossing in 2013 to punish a local mayor who didn't endorse Christie.

Christie hasn't been charged and has denied knowledge of the alleged scheme.

Most jurors questioned Tuesday said they know about the lane closures but can still be impartial.