Travolta’s extortion case ends in mistrial
October 22nd, 2009 - 5:12 pm ICT by ANIWashington, October 22 (ANI): The two people accused of trying to extort 18 million pounds from actor John Travolta over the death of his son will face a new trial, a judge has ordered.
Senior Justice Anita Allen made the decision after a speech broadcast on the TV and radio dropped hints the jury would acquit one of the defendants.
“We are concerned in the interest of justice that there has been a communication from the jury room,” Contactmusic quoted her as telling the court.
“The dilemma that we face is great. I am erring on the side of caution. Justice must be transparent,” she added.
The Grease star, who lost his 16-year-old son Jett after he suffered a seizure earlier this year, was said to be “upset” by the fate of the month-long trial but pledged to “continue to cooperate fully with police”.
The grieving father previously told court that paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and his co-accused, former Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, had threatened to blame him for Jett’s death unless he paid the amount.
The pair pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion.
A date for the retrial is yet to be marked. (ANI)
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Tags: actor john travolta, anita, bridgewater, broadcast, case ends, caution, conspiracy, dilemma, extortion, fate, grease, interest of justice, jett, john travolta, jury room, lightbourne, mistrial, radio, retrial, seizure
