John Travolta makes first appearance at courthouse holding Bahamas extortion trial

John Travolta arrives for Bahamas extortion trial

NASSAU, Bahamas — John Travolta appeared Wednesday for a trial for two people accused of trying to extort $25 million from the movie star, arriving at a courthouse surrounded by Bahamas police officers.

Travolta, who is expected to testify for the prosecution, pulled up in an entourage of sport utility vehicles in his first appearance at the trial. Security was noticeably heavier than previous days as Travolta entered a police station across the street from the Nassau courthouse.

The trial began Monday for the two defendants — a paramedic and a former Bahamas senator — who allegedly tried to blackmail Travolta with private information following the death of his chronically ill son at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama island.

Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater have pleaded innocent to extortion charges.

Police say the alleged scheme involved a document related to the treatment of 16-year-old Jett Travolta, who died Jan. 2. It would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance but police said that did not happen.

A police officer testified Tuesday that Travolta signed the release because he initially wanted his son taken to the airport instead of the hospital.

The nine-person Supreme Court jury was expected to hear from a total of 14 witnesses, including Travolta.