Punishment Dropped Against Politician Who Wrecked John Travolta Case

The man responsible for wrecking JOHN TRAVOLTA's extortion case in the Bahamas has escaped punishment, after a judge ruled he has 'suffered enough'.

Senior Justice Anita Allen declared a mistrial last week (ends23Oct09) after Bahamian politician Picewell Forbes prematurely announced the verdict to the media at an event miles away from where the jury were deliberating.

He revealed that a defendant in the Travolta trial had been found not guilty - before the judge had been informed of the jury's decision.

Forbes has since apologised for his actions but he faced possible contempt of court charges and a heavy fine or jail time.

However, Justice Allen has ruled the criticism handed out to Forbes by media outlets around the globe is punishment enough.

Speaking in court on Thursday (29Oct09) Allen said, '(You have been) rightly ridiculed locally and internationally... It is my opinion that you have suffered enough.'

The Travolta retrial is slated for early next year (10).

Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and Pleasant Bridgewater are accused of demanding USD 25 million (GBP 15.6 million) from Travolta in exchange for not leaking information surrounding the events of the death of the actor's son, Jett, in January (09).

--IANS-WENN