Wednesday, 23 September 2009

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John Travolta may testify in extortion trial

Actor tipped to appear in court

John Travolta was not present in the Bahamas for the first day of the trial

John Travolta is expected to take to the stand during an extortion trial in the Bahamas this week.

Former senator Pleasant Bridgewater and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne are accused of demanding $25million (£15m) from the actor after his son Jett died in the country on 2 January.

They are alleged to have requested the money in return for keeping secret a document relating to the teenager's treatment.

John, 55, has been named on a list of 14 witnesses who could be called to testify.

Police inspector Andrew Wells was the first person to give evidence yesterday.

He said Tarino told him John wanted Jett to be taken directly to the local airport instead of the hospital, and signed a release form.

It was unclear why Jett was not taken to the airport, or why the defendants allegedly thought he'd pay to keep the document private.

Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lightbourne deny the charges.

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