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Travolta Mistrial - The Guy Who Screwed the Case

Posted Oct 22nd 2009 12:27PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has obtained audio of the moment when Bahamian lawmaker Picewell Forbes blew the entire John Travolta extortion case -- screaming out at a political convention last night that "Pleasant Bridgewater is a free woman!!!"

Big mistake: Because when the judge found out the announcement had been made before the jury had come to a decision in the Travolta case -- the judge declared it a mistrial, believing someone in the jury could have been "communicating" with the lawmaker.

John Travolta extortion case

FYI -- Pleasant Bridgewater is a former Senator from the Progressive Liberal Party -- and the announcement was made at a PLP convention.

The PLP released the following apology for their monumental blunder:

"Last evening in the course of an address at our National General Convention, it was announced that former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater had been acquitted. The announcement was incorrect. We give an unqualified apology. This was not intended to interfere with the administration of justice."

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Tags: extortion, extortion plot, ExtortionPlot, john travolta, JohnTravolta, pleasant bridgewater, PleasantBridgewater

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(Page 1 of 6) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. I feel so sorry for the Travoltas..

Posted at 12:40PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by pam

2. Poor John Travolta. He's such a nice guy and he doesn't deserve this. Now he has to go through it all again. I wish the best for him and he'll be in my prayers. I hope he can soon move on and only be filled with happy thoughts of Jet

Posted at 12:41PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by AngelMae

3. SIMONE is part of the scientology movement

Posted at 12:42PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by o rly

4. i feel the same as #1, it took so much strength for the family to go thru this,i can only hope it brought a little healing

Posted at 12:45PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by interested canadian

5. What people have to realize is that groups like the PLP watch out viciously for their own; and typically when a new group comes into power, they make sure any opposition is removed from various cabinet positions and responsibilities. I wouldn't doubt it if the judge was a member of the PLP as well as Bridgewater. Travolta will never get a fair trial there.

Posted at 12:47PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by Canopy

6. He should take Picewell Forbes to court for blowing the case!!

Posted at 12:48PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by James

7. concerned that the Bahamian justice system is corrupt

in the past things have looked that way when you look at how it has/hasn't worked for Americans there
and even if this was an accidental mis-speak
I for one won't be traveling to the Bahamas

was hoping that anything in court that applied to issues somehow related to children would at least go smoothly but apparently not

Posted at 12:54PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by Sloane

8. RIP JET

Posted at 12:59PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by bruce

9. OH God, the Travoltas will have to relive that sad day of their live again all because of some ridiculous lawmaker who apparently knows nothing about law and justice. God be with you.

Posted at 1:02PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by addy

10. Say what you will about the American justice system and its imperfections, it's cases like this, and that of Amanda Knox in Italy, that remind me to be thankful for our rights and protections.

Posted at 1:06PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by RitaD

11. The PLP had EVERY intention of interfering and as the progressive party they knew exactly what the ramifications of his announcement would be. The interesting part would be to see how many JURORS are also affiliated with the PLP or were prehaps contacted and coerced.

Posted at 1:12PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by Canopy

12. He should be jailed since he seriously he obstructed justice! Look what his comment did to a trial, a family dealing w death of their son, ajury who has been on the case for weeks now etc. Now they have to start over and relive it again! What a piece of crap this guy is! He better apologize to the Travoltas for screwing up the whole trial.

Posted at 1:13PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by ki

13. Hey Sloane then don't come !! You people expect to get special treatment every where you go! And when you don't you try to destroy the whole country. Natalie Halliway's mother comes to mind. Her mother tried to boycott tourism to Aruba. What if Iraqis or the middle East stop sending oil to you for killing 1000s in war?!! You would be jammed!

Posted at 1:18PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by bahamian

14. ""Last evening in the course of an address at our National General Convention, it was announced that former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater had been acquitted. The announcement was incorrect. We give an unqualified apology. This was not intended to interfere with the administration of justice."

The use of the term "WE" said it all. They're all in on it. Forbes should have issued the apology (it was his speech).

Posted at 1:18PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by Bev

15. I think that the justice system on many of the islands is corrupt.

As far as these remarks not being intended - give me a break. I don't believe in the tooth fairy and I don't believe that this was an accident. I think that the remarks were made on purpose in an effort to cause another trial which might never happen. The islands live on tourism but if a tourist has a problem well, too bad.

Posted at 1:20PM on Oct 22nd 2009 by Harriet

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