new york federal judge reject request new trial two former associate new jersey governor chris christie convict roles bridgegate lane closure scandal decision late wednesday u.s. district judge susan wigenton clear way two defendants sentence march 15. bridget kelly former deputy chief staff republican governor bill baroni former deputy executive director port authority new york new jersey convict november orchestrate shutdown access lanes george washington bridge september 2013. u.s. prosecutors say result gridlock fort lee new jersey intend punish town democratic mayor decline back christie re-election campaign christie charge case deny knowledge plan kelly another conspirator former port authority official david wildstein testify christie aware lane closure occur wildstein plead guilty appear trial government star witness ask acquittal new trial kelly lawyers argue wigenton err instruct jurors could convict defendants even prosecutors fail prove intentionally target mayor retribution motivation scheme kelly lawyers say core government case wigenton say motive central prosecution require element crimes baroni kelly convict government obligation introduce evidence motive although motive help present coherent narrative events jury write lawyers baroni kelly immediately respond request comment still ask u.s. appeal court overturn verdict sentence take place spokesman new jersey chief federal prosecutor u.s. attorney paul fishman decline comment rule scandal fallout help sink christie once-promising political career pass position president donald trump administration presidential bid sputter see record-low approval rat new jersey ex-christie associate lose bid new trial 'bridgegate case