Tag: john travolta extortion trial

John Travolta Extortion Case Ends in Mistrial

Juror misconduct is at the heart of the ruling by a Bahamian judge to declare a mistrial in the John Travolta extortion case. The ruling came after the judge discovered local politician had announced one of the defendants had been acquitted – before the verdict was read.

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Former Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater and accused accomplice Tarino Lightbourne were on trial for allegedly attempting to blackmail Jon Travolta and wife Kelly Preston. The two allegedly attempted to force Travolta to pay them money to keep quiet about details related to the death of the couple’s son, Jett Travolta.

Closing arguments in the Travolta extortion case ended this morning and jurors were sent out to determine a verdict. Before the jurors could reach a decision, Senior Justice Anita Allen declared a mistrial in the case. Apparently, a local politician announced in a radio and TV speech that defendant Pleasant Bridgewater was “a free woman.” The announcement came before the jury had reached a verdict, prompting the judge in the case to suspect a juror had leaked information to the politician.

“The dilemma that we face is great,” Allen told the court. “I am erring on the side of caution. Justice must be transparent.”

A date has not yet been set for the retrial, but John Travolta plans to continue his campaign against his alleged blackmailers. “Mr. Travolta has and will continue to cooperate with the Bahamian authorities in the prosecution of the defendants for extortion,” a rep for the actor said in a press statement.

>> Previously: John Travolta Tried to Save Son Jett Travolta

John Travolta Tried to Save Son Jett Travolta

John Travolta was forced to relive the last moments of his son Jett Travolta‘s life on Wednesday while testifying in a trial against two people accused of attempting to blackmail the Hollywood star. Jett Travolta, the eldest child of John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston, died after suffering a seizure in the Bahamas in January.

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Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater are currently on trial on charges of attempting to extort $25 million from John Travolta and his family. They are accused of trying to bribe money from Travolta in exchange for not releasing a document concerning Jett’s treatment after his collapse.

John Travolta originally wanted to take his son to the airport and fly him to the U.S. for medical treatment and signed a form releasing emergency responders from liability. However, Travolta then changed his mind and allowed paramedics to transport his son to a local hospital in the Bahamas. The two defendants allegedly threatened to release the form to the press if Travolta did not pay them, believing the document might damaging to Jett’s parents. Both defendants have declared they are innocent of all wrongdoing.

John Travolta testified on Wednesday that he desperately tried to save his son. “I ran downstairs with my wife to help my son,” Travolta said. Travolta stated he tried to revive Jett by giving him CPR, but it was not effective. Jett Travolta was later officially declared dead at Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama Island. An autopsy concluded the boy had died of a seizure.