A judge in New Jersey ruled that a criminal complaint against Gov. Chris Christie for his involvement in the George Washington Bridge scandal can move forward, issuing a summons for former the presidential candidate. The complaint, which was brought by an activist, alleges that Christie knew his aides were intentionally closing lanes on the bridge in 2013 as an act of political retribution against a mayor who declined to back his re-election bid, and did nothing to stop it. William J. Brennan, who brought the suit, said Thursday: “Here you have a prime example of the government turning its power against the citizens, and that is the definition of totalitarianism.” (New York Times)
The man accused of detonating a bomb in Chelsea last month pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to kill police officers. Ahmad Rahami, who police say set off a pressure cooker that injured 31 people, appeared in a New Jersey courtroom Thursday for his arraignment via a video conference from his hospital bed, where he is recovering from gun shot wounds sustained in a firefight with police. Rahami, who is also accused of setting off pipe bombs in a New Jersey town hours before the New York blast, had bail set at $5.2 million, the New York Post reports. (NY1)
Open that wallet wide. If you want a piece of New York baseball history, you’d better be prepared to pay for it. Signed baseballs from Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson, and a bat belonging to Micky Mantle are among the items up for auction at Christies from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20. Auctioneers are swinging for the fences: some items are expected to fetch prices of $700,000. Opted for a job at a nonprofit instead of a hedge fund? The pieces will be on display through Oct. 18. (NY1)
Are pregnant mothers just following this guy around? A woman gave birth to a baby at the World Trade Center Transportation hub late Wednesday (a girl, healthy, all the usual human parts) which is unusual but, considering traffic, not unheard of:The station is an architectural marvel raised over the station destroyed in the 9/11 attacks and a popular tourist destination. Except it’s the second time the same police officer has delivered a baby at the transportation hub in as many years. Police said they radioed for backup, curtained off an area of the Oculus and helped bring the baby into the world. (New York Daily News)
