Bahamas MP faces judge over Travolta mistrial
Kris Ingraham
John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston leave the court building in Nassau, Bahamas, in this Sept. 23, 2009 file photo. The trial of two people accused of trying to extort John Travolta following the death of his son in the Bahamas has ended Wednesday Oct. 21, 2009 in a mistrial after a lawmaker suggested the still-deliberating jury had acquitted one of the defendants. (AP Photo/Kris Ingraham, File)
NASSAU, Bahamas — A Bahamas judge is asking a lawmaker to explain remarks that led to a mistrial in the John Travolta extortion case.
Picewell Forbes was summoned before the judge for announcing an acquittal before the jury had declared a verdict.
The judge told Forbes on Friday that he has until late next week to show why he should not be charged with contempt of court. Forbes did not provide an explanation at the hearing, but his lawyer says he was only repeating a rumor.
Judge Anita Allen says she dismissed the jury Wednesday night because Forbes' remarks gave the appearance of a jury leak.
A new trial is expected next year for the two defendants accused of trying to blackmail the movie star following his son's death in the Bahamas.
| Associated Press
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