NASSAU, Bahamas -- (AP) -- A jury began deliberations Wednesday in the trial of two people accused of trying to blackmail John Travolta following the death of the actor's son in the Bahamas.

Justice Anita Allen summarized the monthlong trial for more than four hours before the start of deliberations.

Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne is accused of threatening to release private information about the January death of Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett. Lightbourne, who was among the medics who treated Jett, allegedly sought $25 million from the actor.

He was charged along with his lawyer, politician Pleasant Bridgewater, who resigned her seat in the Bahamas Senate after she was accused of negotiating the payment.

The defendants pleaded innocent to charges that include extortion.

Both face two charges that each carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

In their closing statements, defense lawyers told the nine-member jury that their clients were set up by lawyers for Travolta who helped police record their meetings with a hidden camera.

They said authorities also misinterpreted what they called a straight-forward business transaction.

The alleged plot involved a document that would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance ride to the hospital for Jett, who suffered a deadly seizure at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama island on Jan. 2.

Travolta said that he signed the waiver because he initially wanted his autistic son flown directly to Florida for treatment.

But he later changedhis mind, and the document did not come into play.

The movie star testified for the prosecution that Lightbourne threatenedto sell stories to themedia suggesting that he was at fault in his son's death.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@