Travolta mistrial 'caused by rumour'

WENN

The Bahamian politician who prematurely announced the acquittal of two people accused of trying to extort money from John Travolta has admitted that he was just repeating a rumour.

Picewell Forbes had announced during a live TV and radio broadcast that paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former senator Pleasant Bridgewater had been cleared of all charges.

His statement led the judge to declare a mistrial and order that the case be re-heard.

According to The AP, a lawyer for Forbes has said that he did not verify the rumour before making his speech at a convention for the Progressive Liberal Party, to which Bridgewater belongs.

Forbes has now been called to appear before Judge Anita Allen to explain why he made the announcement before the jury had declared a verdict.

His lawyer reportedly added that Forbes will apologise to the judge and insisted that there was no evidence to suggest that any juror had been contact with him.

Travolta had flown to the Bahamas to tesify in the case of Bridgewater and Lightbourne, who are accused of trying to extort $25 million in the aftermath of his teenage son's death in January.

Yesterday, a representative for the star admitted that he was "disappointed" by the trial outcome but would continue to cooperate with the authorities.

Both Bridgewater and Lightbourne had denied the original charges.