Rumor cause Travolta Mistrial
A Bahamian politician has said he was repeating a rumour when he prematurely announced the accused had been cleared in the John Travolta extortion case.
Picewell Forbes’ declaration at a party conference - covered by live TV - came before the jury finished deliberations, causing the judge to order a retrial.
Mr Forbes’ lawyer said he had not verified the information beforehand.
Pleasant Bridgewater and Tarino Lightbourne are accused of trying to extort $25m (£15m) from the actor.
Mr Forbes told the conference that Ms Bridgewater, a former senator and a member of Mr Forbes’ Progressive Liberal (PLP) party, had been acquitted.
His lawyer said that the information had been circulating around the party convention.
Mr Forbes is expected to appear before Judge Anita Allen on Friday, to explain his actions and why he should not be held in contempt of court.
The judge, who has yet to set a date for the retrial, expressed concerns that there may have been a direct leak from the jury room - prompting her declaration of mistrial.
Representatives of the PLP later issued an apology for Mr Forbes’ announcement, saying it was “incorrect”.
A spokesman for Travolta said he was “disappointed” in the mistrial outcome.
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