John Travolta’s Attorney Accused Of Hatching Extortion Plot
Posted on Oct 06, 2009 @ 12:38PM - 8 comments
The temperature was hot and tempers were frayed Tuesday in the John Travolta Extortion Trial in the Bahamas.
Travolta Testifies About Son’s Death, Says Jett Was Autistic
Two defendants, Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lightbourne, stand accused of trying to extort $25million from John Travolta following his son Jett’s death on the Island back in January.
Alleged Travolta Extortionists Plead Not Guilty
During cross examination Bridgewater’s attorney Murrio Ducille accused Travolta’s attorney and close friend, Michael McDermott, of being the person that actually hatched the extortion plot. McDermott hotly denied the accusation.
PHOTOS: Travolta Heading To Court
Things got so heated at one point that the judge had to step in and warn both men several times about making comments.
In true Hollywood style, when accused of the being the person that gave birth to the extortion plot, McDermott burst out with the line, “You can’t handle the truth! You can’t handle the truth!” Prompting Ducille to retort, “You’ve watched A Few Good Men, eh?”
John Travolta's Attorney Accused Of Lying
Posted on Oct 01, 2009 @ 04:32PM - 3 comments
There were fireworks in the court Thursday at the trial of Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lighbourne, who stand accused of trying to extort $25 million from John Travolta following his son Jett's death in January.
Extortionists Said They Had Evidence Travolta Intentionally Killed His Child
Tempers flared as Bridgewater's attorney, Murrio Ducille, accused the witness, Travolta's attorney and close friend, Michael McDermott of lying.
Travolta Testifies About Son's Death
In a heated exchange Durrio accused McDermott of being an untruthful witness saying that in his statement there is no mention of Bridgewater demanding money.
Things got so hot that Justice Anita Allen had to calm things down telling them both to "lower the temperature" and that "there is no need for this".
Defendants Plead Not Guilty
But things did not calm down and the judge got so frustrated that she put her hand on her head at one point, and then called for a recess to allow everyone to simmer down.
John Travolta Extortionists Said They Had Evidence He Intentionally Killed His Child
Posted on Oct 01, 2009 @ 12:01PM - Add a comment
John Travolta's attorney and family friend, Michael McDermott took the stand Thursday to testify in Travolta's extortion case in the Bahamas.
Two defendants, Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lightbourne stand accused of trying to extort $25 million from Travolta following the January death of his son Jett.
John testifies about his son's death
John Travolta Extortionists Threatened To Release Story Blaming Him For Son's Death
Posted on Sep 30, 2009 @ 01:30PM - 3 comments
John Travolta took the stand once again on Wednesday in the Bahamas to give testimony in the case against two defendants accused of trying to extort $25 million from the actor following the death of his son Jett in January.
John says Jett was autistic
In his testimony Travolta said that he was told that if he didn¹t pay $25million the extortionists would release stories implying that John was in some way to blame for his son Jett's death, that he was connected in some way.
Travolta explained that he never spoke to either of the defendants about the alleged extortion and that the information that there was a threat was relayed to him through his employee Ronald Zupancic.
Photos of John and Kelly arriving at court
Travolta looked shaken as he spoke and was asked at one point to speak up as he was talking too quietly.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty
Travolta has now been released from the stand, his wife Kelly Preston quickly took his hand to comfort him as he stood down.
Travolta Extortion Case Evidence Destroyed
Posted on Sep 28, 2009 @ 02:37PM - 6 comments
Things are not looking good for the Travolta family in their ongoing extortion case in the Bahamas.
Exclusive video transcript of the blackmailer talking to Travolta's lawyer
First there were rumors swirling of an impending mistrial due to leaked evidence and now key evidence has been destroyed in the case.
Extortion trial jury selected
BREAKING NEWS John Travolta Tells How He Tried To Save Jett
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 @ 02:34PM - 5 comments
John Travolta testified that he signed a liability release document without reading it - a document that is at the center of the trial of two defendants accused of trying to extort $25 million from the actor.
After a court recess, Travolta took the stand again in a Bahamian courtroom and recounted more details about the horrible day his beloved son Jett, 16, died.
Click here to read about Travolta arriving at the courthouse
The document is at the center of the case against paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, who are charged in the extortion plot against the 55-year-old actor. Travolta was threatened, according to police, that if he didn't pay $25 million the liability release document would be made public and it would appear that he turned down treatment for his critically ill son.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, during Jett's fight for life John considered flying him to Florida for treatment and signing the liability release was a byproduct of that decision, not a refusal of treatment. Travolta quickly changed his mind and had his son taken to a local hospital.
Jon testifies, says Jett was autistic
Taking a deep breath, an emotional John took the stand again after the morning break and continued to talk about the moments before the ambulance arrived, saying he and one of the nannies who works for his family continued to give Jett CPR as wife Kelly held their son's head.
John and Kelly arrive at court
John testified that approximately 35 minutes passed from the time he entered the room where Jett was, to when the ambulance arrived.
RadarOnline.com is in the courtroom and as John testified he looked nervous and emotional, twiddling his thumbs and shifting in his chair. Kelly looked distraught, watching as John revealed the details surrounding Jett's death.
See photos of Travolta heading to court
John then testified that Jett was put on a gurney and taken to an ambulance outside the condo and the nanny continued to do compressions as they were taking him out.
Travolta said he spoke to the ambulance driver and was given a liability release from him, which he signed. He said he did not read the document because time was of the essence.
John pointed out his signature to the judge and jury.
Earlier in his testimony Travolta revealed the details of his son's seizures and for the first time publicly acknowledged that Jett was autistic.
"My son was autistic and suffered from seizure disorder. Every five to 10 days he suffered seizures which lasted 45 seconds to a minute," Travolta testified before a jury of six women and three men.
BREAKING NEWS: John Travolta Testifies About Son's Death, Says Jett Was Autistic
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 @ 12:20PM - 20 comments
John Travolta took the stand and testified against two defendants accused of blackmailing him following the tragic death of his son Jett earlier in the year.
See photos of Travolta heading to court
The heartbroken actor also told the court that Jett was autistic, a fact assumed by most in Hollywood but never openly discussed by John and wife Kelly Preston.
Click here to read about Travolta arriving at the courthouse
In his testimony he revealed the details of his son's seizures for the first time.
"My son was autistic and suffered from seizure disorder. Every five to 10 days he suffered seizures which lasted 45 seconds to a minute," Travolta testified before a jury of six women and three men.
Click here to read about the defendants pleading not guilty
RadarOnline.com is in the Bahamian courtroom and Travolta was so somber and quiet in reliving his son's tragic death that at one point the court asked him to speak up in order to be heard.
Travolta Jury Selected In Extortion Case
He wore a black suit and silver tie. Wife Kelly looked on as he testified that they were awakened by a pounding on the door from Eli Wheaton, one of their nannies. They were at the family vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama island. Travolta owns four connecting condos there.
Travolta, 55, said he ran downstairs and found Jett on the bathroom floor. Another nanny, Jeff Katrein, was giving the boy CPR when Travolta arrived. There was also a woman from the resort assisting.
Rescue Worker Reveals Details Surrounding Jett Travolta's Death
The actor jumped in and began performing CPR on Jett. He asked if anyone had called an ambulance and was told one was on the way.
Travolta is on a list of 14 witnesses scheduled to give evidence at the trial of paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, who are charged in connection with a $25 million blackmail scheme against the actor. Police say the defendants were involved in trying to extort money out of Travolta surrounding a document that purportedly would show Travolta refused an ambulance. But police say the actor signed the document because he was considering flying Jett to Florida for emergency treatment.
Travolta Family's First Public Appearance Since Son's Death
Jett was taken to a local hospital and died January 2 of this year. His death certificate ruled cause of death as seizure disorder.
BREAKING NEWS: John Travolta's Tearful Testimony About Trying To Save Dying Son
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 @ 07:15AM - Add a comment
John Travolta has taken the stand to testify against two defendants accused of blackmailing him following the tragic death of his son Jett earlier in the year.
Click here to read about Travolta arriving at the courthouse
Travolta gave emotional testimony about how he tried to save his son after finding him unconscious in the bathroom. He tried to give him CPR to no avail.
John Travolta To Testify Over Plot Involving Dead Son Jett
Posted on Sep 22, 2009 @ 09:11AM - 1 comment
UPDATE: The trial has now begun. John Travolta has not yet taken the stand. More details to come...
John Travolta is expected to be among the first witnesses called to the stand Tuesday in the Bahamas-based extortion trial linked to the death of his 16-year-old son, Jett.
This is thought to be Travolta's first trip back to the Island since his son died January 2nd from a seizure at the family's vacation home on Grand Bahama island.
John Travolta Arrives In The Bahamas For Extortion Trial
Posted on Sep 21, 2009 @ 11:50PM - 3 comments
John Travolta is in the Bahamas and preparing to testify Tuesday in the extortion trial linked to the death of his 16 year old son, Jett, earlier this year.
This is thought to be Travolta's first trip back to the Island since his son's tragic death.
Click here to read about the tragic death of Jett Travolta
A jury of three men and six women were selected Monday for the trial of former senator, Pleasant Bridgewater and paramedic, Tarino Lightbourne.
Click here to read about the jury selection
Bridgewater and Lightbourne are accused of attempting to extort $25 million from Travolta by threatening to go public with a document that protected emergency responders from liability.
Swimming With The Piggies!
Posted on Jul 28, 2009 @ 02:23PM - 1 comment
Not only does the Bahamas have beautiful crystal clear water but one special beach is populated by playful swimming pigs to keep you company.
Known locally as "Pig Beach", the brown and pink feral adult pigs and piglets are fed by locals as they trotter along the tropical beaches. After lounging in the sun the piglets run into the water and even sometimes swim out to incoming boats. That’s the life for us!
(Photo:Fame Pictures)
