Court rules bridge conspirator list can be kept from public

A federal appeals court has ruled that a list of unindicted co-conspirators in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing case should not be released before trial.

A three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision Wednesday after media organizations including The Associated Press went to court seeking the list.

A judge in Newark ordered the list released in May. But an unidentified person filed to block its release, saying he will be branded a criminal even though he hasn't been charged.

The appeals court says public access to judicial documents has limits.

Two former allies of New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christie were indicted last year on charges they orchestrated traffic jams near the bridge as political payback.

Jury selection in their trial is set to begin Thursday.