By Sasha L. Lightbourne
After more than a year of having extortion related charges hover over their heads, former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator, Pleasant Bridgewater and former Grand Bahama ambulance driver, Tarino Lightbourne were discharged yesterday by Supreme Court Senior Justice, Jon Isaacs.
The pair was initially accused of attempting to extort $25 million from Hollywood actor John Travolta after his son, Jett, died in the family’s Old Bahama Bay vacation home on January 2, 2009.
Bridgewater was also charged with abetment.
But within ten minutes of the retrial, Justice Isaacs told Bridgewater and Lightbourne that they were both free to go.
"A nolle does not acquit you it merely discharges you so if the Attorney General’s Office wishes to bring charges against you again, it can," Justice Isaacs said in a packed courtroom.
The Bahama Journal had reported two weeks ago that a nolle prosequi was expected to be entered as Travolta was no longer interested in pursuing the matter, leaving the prosecution without its key witness.
Attorney General, John Delaney, who spoke to reporters just last week denied those reports and told reporters, "you just have to wait to see what happens come Monday."
In court yesterday, prosecutor, Neil Braithwaite told the court that their witness "didn’t want to proceed with the matter."
"The Crown has been informed from John Travolta that in the interest of his family, he does not wish to proceed because it has caused his family great emotional distress," he told the judge.
"He told us that he wants to put the matter behind him because it is in the best interest of his family right now. In that vein, I have been instructed to enter a nolle in this matter."
Justice Isaacs agreed to the nolle but asked the defendants if they had anything to say.
Ms. Bridgewater said nothing.
"I prefer to get a straight out not guilty verdict," Mr. Lightbourne said.
Justice Isaacs told Mr. Lightbourne he would note his concern on the trial’s record sheet.
After the proceedings Ms. Bridgewater, who wore what has become her signature white suit, spoke to reporters and thanked her family and friends who have stood by her from day one.
"To God be the glory great things he has done," she said.
"The proceedings put an end to what I consider to be the darkest nightmare that I have ever had and so I just thank God for allowing me to come through it. On January 29, 2009, almost 20 months ago, I resigned from the honourable Senate and at that time I declared my innocence and I am reconfirming my absolute 100 per cent innocence."
The former senator singled out her parents for their love and support as well.
"I also wish to give thanks to the church people and prayer partners throughout the world such as Canada, Australia, England, Trinidad and Tobago and the Turks and Caicos," she said.
When asked whether she would consider continuing her political career, Ms. Bridgewater told reporters that she was just grateful to be free.
"What saddens me is that the Travoltas have lost their son and it is my prayer that they can now close this chapter and move onto a new one with peace and joy so therefore I certainly give God thanks. Thank God almighty I’m free at last and now I can go on with my life," she said.
Attorney Wayne Munroe represented Ms. Bridgewater in court.
Mr. Lightbourne’s attorney, Carlson Shurland shared a different view about his client being discharged.
"I don’t particularly like this idea of a nolle," he said.
"I think a nolle is like political football. The fact is we came to court for trial and if John Travolta knew that he wasn’t coming then they should take this off the list period so no one is happy about a nolle."
He added that his client was not pleased with the outcome.
"This is not doing anything for my client except holding a big albatross over his head," Mr. Shurland said.
"This is not good. What happened [in court] gives the impression that Mr. Travolta is the only one who is suffering. He is not the only one suffering; my client is suffering as well because he wants to prove his innocence."
Mr. Lightbourne echoed similar views.
"This is not about me, this trial is about the Master’s glory," he told reporters.
"This is just a part of the process that I have to go through and I’m willing to go through the process as long as God is by my side so I am still loaded with confidence."
The pair was on $50,000 bail each, but that has since been discontinued.
The original trial ended in a mistrial following PLP Member of Parliament Picewell Forbes’ outburst at his party’s convention last October that Ms. Bridgewater was a "free woman." However, the jury was still deliberating at that moment.
The announcement prompted then trial judge, Senior Justice Anita Allen to discharge the six-woman, three-man jury.
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