Travolta ‘disappointed’ With Alleged Juror Misconduct

JOHN TRAVOLTA has expressed his “disappointment” after his long-running extortion case in the Bahamas was declared a mistrial.

The Grease star and his wife Kelly Preston were targeted in an alleged blackmail plot by paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater following the death of their 16-year-old son Jett in the resort in January (09).

The suspects faced charges of conspiracy to extort $25 million (£17.2 million) from the couple, amid allegations they threatened to release a Refusal of Treatment/Transportation form, which had been signed by Travolta, to the media.

The Nassau court jury began deliberations on Wednesday (21Oct09) and was expected to return a verdict later this week (ends23Oct09) - but Senior Justice Anita Allen called off the case on Wednesday night.

It is alleged a juror leaked information about the jury’s decision to local politicians, prompting lawmaker Picewell Forbes to announce at a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) convention that ex-party member Bridgewater was “a free woman”.

Alex Storr, a PLP official, claimed Forbes had misspoken and apologised on behalf of the party, but Allen decided to declare a mistrial.

Travolta is upset at the outcome of the trial but insists he will do whatever it takes for justice to prevail.

In a statement released to Entertainment Tonight, Travolta’s representative says, “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.

“Mr. Travolta has and will continue to cooperate with the Bahamian authorities in the prosecution of the defendants for extortion.”

Travolta will now have to relive the pain of his son’s tragic death for a second time in front of a new jury when the case is retried at a later date.