Bahamian Politician Says Sorry to Judge... But Not to Travoltas

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 28th 2009 07:55AM

Picewell Forbes, the lawmaker whose public slip-up caused a mistrial in the John Travolta extortion case, has apologized to the judge and the people of the Bahamas - but there was no "sorry" for the Travolta family. "My statements were reckless and interfered with the course of justice in that case and were further capable of bringing disrepute to the whole administration of justice," Forbes said during a news conference, the Associated Press reports.

The trial of two people accused of trying to extort John Travolta following the death of his son in the Bahamas was declared a mistrial after Forbes suggested the still-deliberating jury had acquitted one of the defendants, former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater. Jurors were still deliberating when the politician told an audience at a Progressive Liberal Party convention that Bridgewater was "a free woman."

Forbes has not revealed who told him that Bridgewater had been acquitted

Senior Justice Anita Allen, who presided over the extortion trial, has said she is considering a contempt of court charge against Forbes. The lawmaker is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Allen said that Forbes' comment gave her no choice but to dismiss the jurors. She did not set a new trial date, but it is expected to be scheduled for some time next year.

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Travolta in Bahamas

John Travolta and Kelly Preston leave the court building in Nassau, Bahamas, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009. Travolta testified against two people accused of trying to blackmail him with private information regarding his son's death.

John Travolta Photos

File - U.S. actor John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston leave the court building in Nassau, Bahamas, in this Sept. 23, 2009 file photo. The trial of two people accused of trying to extort John Travolta following the death of his son in the Bahamas has ended Wednesday Oct. 21, 2009 in a mistrial after a lawmaker suggested the still-deliberating jury had acquitted one of the defendants. (AP Photo/Kris Ingraham, File)

U.S. actor John Travolta, right, and his wife Kelly Preston leave the court building in Nassau, Bahamas, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. Travolta testified Wednesday that Bahamas paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, who is now on trial for extortion, threatened to sell stories to the news media suggesting the movie star was at fault in the death of his 16-year-old son, demanding $25 million. (AP Photo/Hendricks McIntosh)

UNDATED: In this handout from Rogers and Cowan, Jett Travolta, son of actor John Travolta and Kelly Preston, is seen in this undated picture. Jett Travolta was reportedly found dead on January 1, at a family home at the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island during a family. (Photo by Rogers and Cowan via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jett Travolta

Getty Images

UNDATED: In this handout from Rogers and Cowan, John Travolta (2nd L), his wife Kelly Preston (R) and their children Jett (2nd R) and Ella pose in this undated picture. Jett Travolta, 16, was reportedly found dead on January 1, at a family home at the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island during a family. (Photo by Rogers and Cowan via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jett Travolta;Kelly Preston;John Travolta

Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 17: (FILE PHOTO) Actor John Travolta arrives at the premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Bolt" held at the El Capitan Theatre on November 17, 2008 in Hollywood, California. Travolta's oldest son with wife Kelly Preston, Jett, 16, died shortly after experiencing a seizure while on vacation with his family on January 2, 2009 in the Bahamas. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Travolta

Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD - FEBRUARY 24: (FILE PHOTO) Actor John Travolta and actress Kelly Preston arrive at the 80th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Hollywood, California. Travolta's oldest son with wife Preston, Jett, 16, died shortly after experiencing a seizure while on vacation with his family on January 2, 2009 in the Bahamas. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Travolta;Kelly Preston

Getty Images

Actor John Travolta and Actress Kelly Preston attends the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com

Actor John Travolta and Actress Kelly Preston attends the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com

Tags: John Travolta, JohnTravolta, Picewell Forbes, PicewellForbes

Comments

(5)

Wednesday 28 October

By Mark

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

For what miniscule condolence I could provide, I'd like to apologize for the horrible behavior of those people that tried to extort money from the Travolta family, and their personal tragedy. Further, I hope that the Bahamian Courts do fins that politician guilty of contempt of court for his blatant attempt to sway the judicial system. The whole affair is a black eye for the Bahamas, and a cruel way to treat the family, who already were suffering.

By Jim

This whole thing is so sad, but this is the Bahamas. I have had business dealings in the Bahamas, you never get the whole truth and everybody is always working some type of angle or scam. Just get out, dont go and dont spend money in the Bahamas. There are places that would love to see you come and they will keep thier hands in thier own pockets.

By jack

I would never go there it's always about the money.
The people are haughty and theives.

They stinks.

By PEPPA

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I'm so sorry for the travolta family.
My sincerest condolences to them.
##############################
As an afterthought.... leave the cult.

By LkyRaven

My heartfelt prayers relay to the Travolta's. The Bahamian government is horrendous for the way they have treated you. Sell your timeshare, and any property that you have there, and RUN to put your money somewhere else. Give them the same respect and compassion that they have extended to you. You deserve better!

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