A Bahamian supreme court ordered the retrial late yesterday after the judge declared a mistrial when a politician in the country prematurely announced the two accused had been cleared.
Pleasant Bridgwater and Tarino Lightbourne stand accused of trying to extort $25 million (£15 million) from Travolta, following the death of his son Jett in January.
It is alleged they threatened to give the media a document John Travolta had signed, releasing the ambulance driver and his colleagues from any liability for Jett's death after he decided to try and fly his son to Florida for treatment, rather than allow him to be taken to the nearby Freeport hospital.
An autopsy determined Jett, 16, died of a seizure during a family vacation at the Old Bahama Bay Resort.
The judge said last night she was concerned there could have been jury misconduct, after an MP for the Progressive Liberal Party (LPL) said at his annual party convention, which was being broadcast live, that the accused were innocent.
Supreme court Justice Anita Allen said she was reluctant to order a new trial but had to do so 'in the interest of justice'. Both the accused deny the charges.
Pleasant Bridgwater and Tarino Lightbourne stand accused of trying to extort $25 million (£15 million) from Travolta, following the death of his son Jett in January.
It is alleged they threatened to give the media a document John Travolta had signed, releasing the ambulance driver and his colleagues from any liability for Jett's death after he decided to try and fly his son to Florida for treatment, rather than allow him to be taken to the nearby Freeport hospital.
An autopsy determined Jett, 16, died of a seizure during a family vacation at the Old Bahama Bay Resort.
The judge said last night she was concerned there could have been jury misconduct, after an MP for the Progressive Liberal Party (LPL) said at his annual party convention, which was being broadcast live, that the accused were innocent.
Supreme court Justice Anita Allen said she was reluctant to order a new trial but had to do so 'in the interest of justice'. Both the accused deny the charges.
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