Arguments start in Travolta extortion trial

Opening arguments began Tuesday in the trial of two people accused of trying to blackmail John Travolta following his son’s death in the Bahamas.

The movie star was among the witnesses expected to testify, but he was not in the courtroom as the proceedings began in the capital of this island chain off the Florida coast.

A former Bahamas senator and an ambulance driver are accused of demanding $25 million to stop them from publicizing a document related to the treatment of Travolta’s chronically ill son, Jett, who died from a seizure at a family vacation home on Grand Bahama island in January.

Travolta, who has kept a low profile since the Jan. 2 death of his 16-year-old son, is on a list of 14 witnesses that could be called to testify. Prosecutors have not said when the actor might take the stand. The other potential witnesses include lawyers for Travolta as well as five police inspectors and detectives.

Former Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, who treated Jett after he collapsed, have pleaded innocent to extortion charges. Both of them have been free on bail.

It remains unclear why the pair allegedly believed Travolta would pay them. The document in question would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance, but police said it never came into play in Jett’s case.

A jury of six women and three men was seated in the Supreme Court case Monday.