Jury out in Travolta extortion case

A jury in the Bahamas today began its deliberations in the trial of two people accused of trying to blackmail actor John Travolta following the death of his son.

Justice Anita Allen’s summing up of the month-long trial lasted for more than four hours today, before the jury was sent out to begin its deliberations.

Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne is accused of threatening to release private information about the death, in January, of Travolta’s 16-year-old son Jett.

Lightbourne allegedly sought a payment of US$25m (€16.66m) from the actor.

He was charged along with his lawyer, former Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater.

She is accused of negotiating the alleged payment.

The defendants have denied the charges that include extortion.