[Smells Like News] Travolta Extortion Case Gets Underway

Nassau, Bahamas Prosecutors announced that a paramedic who cared for John Travolota’s son before he passed away threatened to give out private information unless the actor paid $25 million.

Travolta was expected to take a stand during the trial, but was not in the courtroom as prosecutors came forward with evidence.

“Contact was made with certain persons to communicate a threat to John Travolta,” said Bernard Turner, chief prosecutor in the Bahamas, in his opening argument.

Ambulance driver, Tarino Lightbourne, and former Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, a codefendant who may have acted as an intermediary, have all pleaded innocent to extortion charges.

Meanwhile, defense lawyers have not yet presented opening arguments.

Police noted that the plan involved a document with the treatment of Jett Travolta, a chronically ill teenager who passed away January 2 after a seizure at a family vacation. It was supposed to have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance but police claim that didn’t happen.

The first witness to the trial, police inspector Andrew Wells, testified at the stand that after the 16-year-old Jett was put into the ambulance, Lightbourne said that Travolta wanted his son to go straight to the local airport instead of the hospital. Wells insisted that Travolta signed a release form.

It is unsure of why Jett was not taken to the airport if he was asked and why the defendants believed the actor would pay to keep it a secret.

Travolta has been playing it low key since his son’s death and could be called into testify along with 14 others. Prosecutors haven’t said if the actor will take a stand or when but other witnesses include lawyers for Travolta, five police inspectors and detectives.

A jury of six women and three men was seated in the Supreme Court case Monday.

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Posted By sysop to Smells Like News at 11/29/2009 06:14:00 AM

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