Travolta may testify at Bahamian pair's trial

September 22, 2009|By HOWARD GENSLER Daily News wire services contributed to this report

AJURY WAS selected yesterday for a trial that could see John Travolta take the stand against two Bahamians accused of trying to extort $25 million from him following his son Jett's death.

Travolta is on a list of 14 witnesses against the defendants - a former Bahamas senator and an ambulance driver - who allegedly threatened to release a document related to the treatment of the chronically ill Jett.

His testimony would mark a break from the low profile that he and wife Kelly Pres- ton have kept since the 16-year-old died of a seizure at a family home on Grand Bahama island on Jan. 2.

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The nine-person jury was expected to begin hearing evidence today, but prosecutors declined to say when Travolta might take the stand.

Former Sen. Pleasant Bridgewater and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, who was among those who tried to revive Jett after he collapsed, have pleaded not guilty to charges that include conspiracy to commit extortion.

Both have been free on bail.

Good news from Toronto

Philadelphia native Lee Daniels' "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" won the audience- choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival, fueling predictions that the harrowing, Oprah Winfrey-backed tale is Oscar-bound.

Certainly, Mo'Nique, who stars in the film with newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, is.

The win for "Precious" follows its dual win earlier this year at Sundance, where it claimed the grand jury and audience awards.

Last year's audience favorite at Toronto? "Slumdog Millionaire."

* Don Argott's documentary "The

Art of the Steal," detailing the high-level political chicanery involved in heisting the Barnes Foundation art collection to a new home on the Ben Franklin Parkway, received numerous ovations in Toronto, but more importantly, left with a distribution deal.

According to ScreenDaily.com, Sundance Selects, a boutique label from Rainbow Media, won the bidding war for North American rights to the film.

Sources said the deal included a "substantial" six-figure advance and minimum 15-city theatrical release.

"The Art of the Steal" will receive its U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival.

Attorney Justin Wineburgh of Cozen O'Connor represented the filmmakers, including Argott and producer Sheena Joyce of 9.14 Pictures and executive producer Lenny Feinberg.

A 'Gigante' scandal

Adonis Losada, a Spanish-language actor often seen on the Univision show "Sabado Gigante," has been charged with possessing child pornography.

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