Jury Selected in Travolta Extortion Trial

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Sep 21st 2009 03:49PM

A jury was selected Monday for a trial that could see John Travolta take the stand against two people accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star following his son's death in the Bahamas. Travolta is on a list of 14 witnesses against the defendants - a former Bahamas senator and an ambulance driver -- who allegedly threatened to release a document related to the treatment of his chronically ill son Jett.

His testimony would mark a break from the low profile that Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, have kept since their 16-year-old son died from a seizure at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama island on Jan. 2.

Travolta, 55, skipped the publicity tour this summer for his latest film, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3." He posted a note on his personal Web site in June thanking his co-stars for their efforts to promote the picture, which gave the family additional time to grieve.

The nine-person jury is expected to begin hearing evidence Tuesday, but prosecutors declined to say when Travolta might take the stand or whether he is in the country.

Travolta's attorneys referred calls to his publicist, Paul Bloch, who said he would not comment on the actor's plans because "this is an ongoing criminal matter."

Former Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, who was among those who tried to revive Jett after he collapsed, have pleaded innocent to charges including conspiracy to commit extortion.

Before the start of jury selection, defense lawyers argued unsuccessfully for a delay, saying they needed more time to press prosecutors to hand over evidence.

A hearing is scheduled before another judge Wednesday on their request for materials that reportedly include recordings of the defendants' conversations with a lawyer for Travolta.

The pair allegedly threatened Travolta with a document that would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance. However, police said that did not happen in Jett's case. It is unclear why the pair allegedly believed Travolta would pay to keep the document from being released.

Both defendants have been free on bail.

Jett Travolta had a history of seizures and was found unconscious in a bathroom. A Bahamas undertaker said the death certificate listed seizure as the cause of death.

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Tags: bahamas, extortion, jett travolta, JettTravolta, john travolta, JohnTravolta

Comments

(17)

Monday 21 September

By Jules

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I hate to correct your statement, Hattie. YOU NEVER GET OVER THE DEATH OF A CHILD. They might try to work through it but NEVER get OVER it!!!!!!

By k

You NEVER get over it, I am speaking from experience. I lost my daughter 8 years ago, and the pain is still there the same as it was 8 years ago, so I agree with you. You NEVER EVER get over it!

Tuesday 22 September

By Richard fusilier de la Claire

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Travolta is one good actor and a good man.!

Being a mother who has lost a child (age 15) you NEVER get over it. My world died the day my preicous daughter did. It's something that will be with me forever, I think I go through the evreyday "motions" but, it's so hard to put on the "brave" face for everyone. It has been 8 years since her passing, and it doesn't get eaiser as the years go by. So I can really relate to John and Kelly. My thoughts and prayers are with them, whatever comfort that may be..

By kevin

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how did your daughter die??

By KG

My heartfelt sorrow is extended to the Travolta family that during their time of the loss of their son that they will have to revisit his death, this is so unfair, and hopefully this trial will be expedient, that they can finally find closure and a comfort in healing filled with God's Blessings.

Saturday 30 January

By Lisa

KG In their religion there is no God as we know. It is just a supreme being. The Travoltas believe, as does Tom Cruise, Will Smith and countless other otherwise seemingly intelligent people, that we as humans are immortal spiritual beings and are trapped in these "meat" bodies because of alien intervention on earth. So please!! May we as a CHRISTIAN pray to the Lord God to take Jett as a special and INNOCENT child of His own!
One other remark. I read that they were not giving Jett his seizure medications because "the church" said NOT to! If this is true is this not criminal negligence?

By ME

He testifies. He doesnt testify. Who really gives a crap either way, certainly not me. Someone's chid dies every day, every hour, every minute. Travolta's boy was "special" how?

By big daddy

You`re a jerk. Get some help and stop hating your parents.

By Mother of One

The term "Special" is referenced here of a delay in development in some way,...either physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. It is no way implies that this child was any "better (special)" than anyone else's child (except to his own family.) It is an indication that this child might have had a different route in his education to overcome his difficulties.
The conversation, however, is to express the pain and sorrow that this family is enduring at their loss. It certainly is far more involved and in the news more than someone who did not have parents with recognizable names.
The sad part is that as a parent of a "Special" child, you suffer the "death" of your expected "Normal" child when they are diagnosed. To have to suffer their actual death is unapproachable in understanding. And you have certainly NOT shown any empathy for these parents and sister for their loss, much less for just someone of the human race.

By KIT

It's so hard losing someone, but always remember you will see them again. There are so many children in the world without parents, if you have enough love in your heart go out and find one to replace the one you lost. No one can take the place of the one you lost, but they will fill the emptiness in your heart that you feel for the one you lost, and you could fill their lives with the love for your child you lost. That's what your children would want you to do, go out and find another child to help and love. Children come in all shapes, sizes, and colors it doesn't matter they all need the love, guidance, and parents who can provide that and give them a good home. There are children out there who are starving and have nothing or no one who cares for them. Make a difference save a child and bring one home.

By MH

Last December I fell and my head hit the concrete curb causing a gash and bleeding, the ambulance was called and they asked me do you want us to take you to the hospital? they have to have concent to take you to the hospital. This is a common practice.

By Mike

Are they suggesting he killed his child and they have proof and want hush money?? The article is not clear and precise.

By Princess Anne

It is a shame that when a celebrity dies or a loved one of a celebrity dies the creeps come out and show their true colors... Again it is happening with the Travolta case. their son is gone for God's sake leave them alone!!! By the way isn't this the second celebrity death incident in the Bahamas in like 18 months. I kow I am not going there as we may lose our lives..

By Crystal

This is sad ALL around Who cares who John and Kelly are. Who cares if they are on Movies/Tv. They both put there pants on the same way as everyone else and if they bleed it still red...

People need to leave them alone and let the grief. That really has not happened yet for them because they are always being bothered by people and doing bs things to them to bring it up and not let them deal with it. Your never going to forget the passing of a loved one especially when its your child. But EVERYONE just needs to leave them be.

By SHAE

How sad that the Travolta's have to go through this after losing their son. What a cold world we live in. People have gotten so uncaring about the next guy. God Bless this family and help them get past this.

By kim

KEVIN, YOU'RE AN IDIOT!! or may I say morbid thrill seeker..why would it matter to you how K's daughter past away? the bahamas shouldn't even have a trial, they should throw the book at them & send their azzes to jail forever. They have no conscience, just more douche bags looking for $$$$$. Let this family grieve for the loss of their boy and not have to stir up more grief for them. GOD BLESS THE TRAVOLTA FAMILY

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