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Mistrial Declared in John Travolta Extortion Case

Thursday – October 22, 2009 – 8:42am

Comments (16) »

A mistrial has been declared in the trial of two people accused of attempting to extort $25 million from actor John Travolta after the death of his 16-year-old son, Jett.

Senior Supreme Court Judge Anita Allen said she believed someone in the jury had been having inappropriate "communication" outside of the jury room, where jurors had been deliberating for eight hours

The judge had received information that an announcement had been made at a local political rally that one of the defendants had been found not guilty. Allen told the court hearing the news left her no choice but to order a retrial. (A new trial date was not set.)

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

See touching photos of John Travolta and his son, Jett

Though they pleaded not guilty, Paramedic Tarino Lightbourn and former Bahamian Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater, who is also Lightbourn's attorney, had been charged with conspiring to extort $25 million from Travolta.

The prosecution claimed they demanded money in exchange for not releasing private information to the press about the death of the actor's son, who passed away last January following a seizure in the family vacation home on Grand Bahama island.

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The jury, which deliberated about nine hours, had spent a month listening to testimony including from Travolta, who took the stand and recounted his son's final moments.

Michael Ossi, one of the actor's attorneys, told the Associated Press his client would cooperate in any way possible and testify again if necessary.

"We are disappointed to hear about the alleged juror misconduct since we know that the Bahamian government, the court, the other jurors and John Travolta as the victim want to have this matter adjudicated through the judicial system," a rep for the actor says. "Mr. Travolta has and will continue to cooperate with the Bahamian authorities in the prosecution of the defendants for extortion."

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Comments

(16)

November 10, 2009 - 1:31pm PUPITO Says:

Prosecute the Travoltas! They are responsible! Basing a RELIGION on science fiction books is just plain CRAZY!!!!! But believing it is even CRAZIER
November 10, 2009 - 11:24am Teresa Says:

Do you people have a heart? Do you have children? When I see that photo I see a normal family snapshot. Not someone posing for a photo shoot. Come on! They are happy and goofing around, What "normal" child doesn't? If your child doesn't do things like that then maybe you have the problem!!
October 25, 2009 - 10:03pm Anon Says:

My comment to Lisa how can you grieve in a peach? It's PEACE!.... But yes I do agree with you, however learn how to spell before you post :)
October 25, 2009 - 3:52pm Lisa Says:

He was just a child. A photo of a child with his father. What is wrong with society when a child cannot be a child. Sickening the Travolta's are not allowed to grieve in peach.
October 22, 2009 - 4:41pm GRO UP PPL Says:

why r u ppl so mean, this child is dead have you no respect, all of you making comments about this pic are sick and need to get a life. Love and Prayers to John, Kelly and thier families xoxox
October 22, 2009 - 4:33pm Tam Says:

It's so rude and mean that people are mocking at their son while he passed away. Travoltas have been great parents and didn't care what people would think that their son had disabilities.
October 22, 2009 - 4:08pm Anon Says:

Julie is ignorant. Obviously he just took a sip of water... as evident from the water bottle. Duhhhh!!!
October 22, 2009 - 2:15pm Julie Says:

He looks like he is trying to fart...or push one out! Plop plop...
October 22, 2009 - 12:54pm Carlin Says:

Seriously people what is wrong with the pic, its a kid sitting with his legs crossed. He wasnt posing for anything special, looks by his outfit and John's they were out as a family and papparrazi snapped a photo. Should celebrity and their children dress to the nines every second of every day on the chance they are going to be on the cover of something. That would be a lot of pressure. Let them lives there lives, and stop critiqing everything. If you lived under a microscope how would you appear to the world?
October 22, 2009 - 12:00pm anon Says:

What a shame that the Travolta family must go through another trial. I'm praying for them.
October 22, 2009 - 11:58am Ang Says:

I would just like to say.. That I don't think that the picture of Jett is "unflattering" as a mother, I know that when my son is doing that, he is relaxed. He is just being himself, beside this dad. Im sure for apperance wise, John could have told him to stop, or sit up or uncross this legs. He didn't. It allows you to see the kid he was, and not picture perfect all the time. I thought only good things when I saw that picture. It's a postive mind thing, and it doesn't always have to be negative. But it is the world we live in. Nothing is more painful then losing a child so young. Only those who experience his first hand understand that sadness that never goes away. Nothing in life ever is the same. This family nor any family for this matter deserves this nightmare. Bottom line. Wanting money because their child died and exposing whatever information. People feed of this stuff, because it's people who we think are so "perfect" in their perfect world, and when something bad happens, it's like they are back on everyone's level and not a celebrity level. It's harsh. I pray this family gets the strength they need to pull through this, so they can finally be able to grieve in the way they need to. People who bring so much unkindness to another, will eventually get what they deserve.
October 22, 2009 - 11:38am RPin PIT Says:

Typical Bahamas government . . . they're all crooks, and it looks like the trial will be a sham as well. So sorry the Travoltas have to relive this horror over and over again. Boycott the Bahamas -- too corrupt!
October 22, 2009 - 11:04am Jen in CA Says:

It's too bad they can't just videotape a depostition from John so he doesn't have to keep repeating the events of the tragedy.
October 22, 2009 - 10:17am Jon Says:

How much more can they take! It's a shame that a mistrial was declared because someone couldn't keep their mouth shut!
October 22, 2009 - 9:53am Cat Says:

I agree Lori. There is just no closure for this family on so many levels. Prayers to them as well.
October 22, 2009 - 9:24am Lori Says:

Wow. How much more can this Family take? Prayers to them.