John Travolta tells blackmail trial of son's death

Film star John Travolta yesterday relived the horror of watching his handicapped teenage son die in front of him, giving evidence at the trial of two people accused of trying to blackmail him over the boy.

With his actress wife Kelly Preston also in the Nassau courtroom, Mr Travolta said he had tried to revive 16-year-old Jett after he fell ill at the family holiday home on Grand Bahama island.

Jett later died from a seizure.

"I ran downstairs with my wife to help my son," Mr Travolta said.

Mr Travolta is the main witness at the trial of paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater who are accused of trying to extort $25 million from him. Both deny the charges.

It was a rare public appearance for Mr Travolta, 55, who has kept a low profile since Jett's death in January. He skipped promotional events this summer for his latest film, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.

He thanked his co-stars on his website for giving him time to grieve through their efforts to publicise the film.

Mr Travolta arrived at the Supreme Court building in a convoy of vehicles for his first appearance at the trial. Security was noticeably heavier than previous days, with Bahamas police officers surrounding the courthouse.

In his evidence, he said he and his wife were woken by a nanny around 10.15 a.m. on January 2, the day of Jett's death.

Mr Travolta said that when he went downstairs, another caretaker was doing chest compression and he began administering breathing help.

Police say the blackmail plot involved a document related to Jett's treatment. It would have released emergency services from liability if the family refused an ambulance.

A nine-person jury is expected to hear a total of 14 witnesses.