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Celebrity Justice
The Travolta Extortion Jury Vote

Posted Nov 5th 2009 3:45PM by TMZ Staff

John TravoltaThe John Travolta jury had the votes to convict both Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lightbourne of extortion, according to a newspaper report out of the Bahamas.

The vote was 6 - 3 in favor of conviction, according to The Punch newspaper. In the Bahamas it only takes 6 votes to convict.

The judge declared a mistrial because of jury misconduct. No announcement has been made if there will be a retrial.

Michael Ossi -- Travolta's lawyer -- tells TMZ, "John was very disappointed because he wanted closure."

Ossi says Travolta will "fully cooperate" with prosecutors in the future and wants another trial, whether it's in the Bahamas or the U.S.

Ossi says there has been no discussion about a plea bargain.

Tags: john travolta, JohnTravolta, michael ossi, MichaelOssi, pleasantbridgewater, tarino lightbourne, tarinolightbourne

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1. so sad

Posted at 4:05PM on Nov 5th 2009 by sarah

2. If that is the way the Bahamas want's to play than maybe we should boycott it just like Aruba. I was in Aruba when Natalie Holloway went missing. The cover up and corruption soured me and therefore I would never return. If these kinds of places are not going to protect Americans than I have no desire to support them. There was no reason for a mistrial. It was done to protect the people who violated The Travolta's during a horrific and tragic time. Shame on them. Boycott the Bahamas! It's also a ripoff.

Posted at 4:07PM on Nov 5th 2009 by MD

3. Very sad that this has happend to the family, with all that they went through. I would also boycott Bahamas too.

Posted at 4:43PM on Nov 5th 2009 by sara

4. balls

Posted at 4:28PM on Nov 5th 2009 by balls

5. Was there any proof that jurors leaked the verdict? Or, was it just speculation?

This article is linked on http://www.cheatsheetnews.com

Posted at 4:44PM on Nov 5th 2009 by Amanda Newsome

6. Convict the bastards already and let the Travolta's have closure already. This was sick & disgusting. Their son is gone & this agony continues b/c of doucebags like this. May they suffer a long long time in prison... they deserve nothing better after their behavior when a young boy died.

Posted at 4:55PM on Nov 5th 2009 by djdeej94

7. so 2 people supposedly commit a crime, and u want to boycott an entire nation for it. Okay. I'm sure you wouldn't want this rule to apple to America tho right? 1 person commit a crime there, hence the rest of the world should stop all dealings with America? See how dumb it sounds?? Smh People say da dumbest things when misinformed though, so ehhhh

Posted at 5:25PM on Nov 5th 2009 by CINNA

8. Yes, we should all BOYCOT the corrupt Bahamas, however, can we all please REMEMBER that it was The TRAVOLTA'S themselves that did NOT allow their AUTISTIC SON to be on ANTI-SEIZURE medication which is WHY the poor child died in the first place. Proving that money and fame cannot by BRAINS. They denied he was autistic UNTIL they were FORCED to tell the truth to the courts, when they only then admitted it..they also said Jett would get FOUR OR FIVE seizures a week!! A week! And yet this kjid was on NO MEDS because their CULT, Scientology, does not "believe" im medications or autism. So as tragic as this story is, in my opinion, the most TRAGIC PART is that these parents who I am sure loved their son,were too ignorant, foolish and brain washed to do what coudl have easily saved his life. Now THAT is the very sad party if you ask me. Let's hope their daughter Ella never needs medication for any serious condition otherwise they could end up childless one day. Sad...............

Posted at 5:24PM on Nov 5th 2009 by Miranda

9. All i can say is WOW to those who speak negatively about this situation... May your dying day bring you to the depths of HELL, you are sick people who should be erased from this earth... People like you are the reason this world is messed up... In essence i say "grow the F up" my condolences to John and and his wife, i cannot imagine what they are going through.

Posted at 5:49PM on Nov 5th 2009 by WOW

10. @Miranda i definitely agree with u about da Travolta-Scientology Cult thing. Its da truth, his son cud still be alive 2day if he wuz being treat for his autism/seizure.

However, the entire Bahamas isnt corrupt. If 1 american rapes someone, it doesnt mean everyone in America is now a rapist. Generalizing is dumb. Dont turn something that happen between individuals into a nationwide event.

So you have sat down with the entire population of the Bahamas,(from 1 yr olds -99yr olds) did a criminal backgorudn chek on em, and determined that every last one is somehow corrupt right?

And not only that, all Bahamians are currently plannin to swindle celebrityz who deny their kids psych meds too huh? If yall dont see how dumb that sounds then it means ur just being ignorant (on purpose or maybe o natuRAl) :)...nehoo...its ur opinion i ges, no matter how ridiculous :)

Posted at 5:51PM on Nov 5th 2009 by CINNA

11. The Bahamas is a third world country/island with a great beach..People are poor and have the morals of a drug dealer.

Good luck to the Travolta's.....

Vacation in the states.

Posted at 5:55PM on Nov 5th 2009 by pam

12. glad to see so many doctors add comments--none of us know anything about whose on meds for what --

Posted at 5:58PM on Nov 5th 2009 by Diane

13. those suspects should be LOCKED UP FOR LIFE..........

Posted at 6:17PM on Nov 5th 2009 by my heart goes out for john and his family

14. I agree with others. This was such a tragedy for the Travoltas. To have to rehash this sad, sad story once was painful enough. For a judge to cry mistrial is sick and utterly disgusting. I think we should all take a stance and boycott the Bahamas. I love the islands but there is plenty to do/see right here in the USA. No family should have to relive this again and again and again. Shame on all those involved in this.

Posted at 6:32PM on Nov 5th 2009 by Jade

15. This family needs to let it go...Sometimes it's better to walk away, fighting these sociopaths who tried to cash in on Jet's death are scum... they will never change. So why bog your family down in it & reliving it?
Take whatever happiness you can and move forward. Some times it just isn't worth the money or time...this is one of those times. I hope for there Daughters sanity they will get some help & all find peace.

Posted at 7:01PM on Nov 5th 2009 by Rustyvain

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