The Bridgegate trial’s six biggest shockers
Political corruption trials—even those with high-profile defendants—rarely produce genuine surprises. But the opening day of the Bridgegate trial generated at least a half-dozen shockers, some of which may change both the political landscape and similar trials in New Jersey for a long time to come. Here’s my list of the big six biggest surprises unleashed in federal district court in Newark Monday:
Surprise 1 and 2: Despite long established defense practice, both defendants—Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Bridget Kelly, former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Chris Christie—will testify in their own defense.
“It’s 100 percent guaranteed, “ declared Michael Baldassare, Baroni’s lawyer. “You’ll hear her testify,” said Michael Critchley, Kelly’s defense counsel.
Of course, both lawyers—and their clients—could change their minds, right up to the moment they are called to the stand. So, for the moment, the declarations are more courtroom stage-craft than anything else. But, right now, the announced decision that Baroni and Kelly, charged with the politically motivated creation of traffic jams at the George Washington Bridge, will risk all to give their side of the convoluted Bridgegate story has to have had an impact on the jurors.
Surprise 3: The defense attacks on chief prosecution witness David Wildstein were not only withering but also extraordinarily vulgar, especially in a courtroom—and it’s a wonder Judge Susan Wigenton did not caution Baldassare to watch his mouth.
Sure, defense lawyers often call their clients’ chief accusers “liars” and “crooks.” But try on this comment from Baldassare referring to how he believed others The Bridgegate trial’s six biggest shockers |:
