Travolta Extortion Trial Heads to Jury

Deliberations begin in case against two Bahamians accused of $25 million bilking attempt

By Gina Serpe Oct 21, 2009 3:57 PMTags
John Travolta, Kelly PrestonAP Photo/Kris Ingraham

John Travolta's peace of mind is now in the hands of a dozen Bahamians.

The jury is expected to begin deliberations today in the case of two locals who allegedly targeted Travolta and Kelly Preston with a $25 million extortion scheme following the death of son Jett.

Exactly one month after the trial began, closing arguments wrapped up in Nassau court this morning. The Travoltas were not present, having long since departed from the island (and absconded to England with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes for a Scientology bonanza) after the actor's emotional testimony was complete.

Former Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater and ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne have both pleaded not guilty.

The defense implored the jury to "set my people free," floating the theory during the trial that Travolta's attorney, with "evil in his heart," had come to the Bahamas with a plan to "corner" and "set up" the defendants.

It's not like he had anything better to do in the days after his client's son tragically passed, right?

"A threat is a threat," prosecutor Bernard Turner said in his closing argument. "The threat was not successful because no money changed hands, but it was not for lack of trying.

"Nobody is being set up. They weren't being encouraged to do something they hadn't already done."

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Catch up on the details of the heartbreaking trial.