Bahamian Justice - There Is None
Between the David Copperfield mess, Anna Nicole Smith and now the John Travolta case, I have decided that if I ever commit a crime or alleged to have committed a crime I would like it to be in the Bahamas. In another blow to their legal system yesterday, a Bahamian judge declared a mistrial in the John Travolta case yesterday and ordered a retrial. Umm, it is doubtful there will actually be a retrial. For all practical purposes this thing is over and everyone will feel like there has been no closure.
It is hard to exactly understand what happened, but it sounds like a lawyer reported on Bahamian television that he had heard from one of the jurors that at least one of the defendants had been acquitted. That apparently was enough for the judge to declare a mistrial. There have been no reports that the judge actually spoke to the juror who allegedly revealed this. Around that same time the foreman of the jury told the judge they were having trouble reaching a verdict. I guess instead of an acquittal being announced to the world and embarrassing the Bahamian justice system, a mistrial because some juror made a phone call sound much more palatable. Now there will be some time that will pass and then some more time and then The Bahamas is probably hoping everyone will forget about this little incident and come have a pina colada courtesy of the government.
While we're pursuing justice for victims of crime in the Bahamas, why don't we pursue it for victims of Scientology, too? Yes, some shady folks tried to extort Travolta, but come on: it's really Jett who needed protection...from his crazy parents and their cult!
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ReplyDeleteoh enty...don't pick on the bahamas. that's pretty much most tropical islands, commie one included.
ReplyDelete*slurps mojito*
Huh - I'm surprised. With Travolta being so high profile, I would have thought they'd want to make an example of this case to would-be criminals.
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember a few years ago a girl went missing on spring break and the authorities couldn't/wouldn't find out what happened? Was that in the Bahamas, too?
I remember that. Natalie Holloway. She vanished on Aruba.
ReplyDeleteYes! That's it. Thanks sunnyside. That whole story made "island justice" pretty suspect for me.
ReplyDeleteI've been to a lot of Caribbean islands. Spent my illegal honeymoon on the commie island...
ReplyDeleteGotta say that things definitely work *differently* down there all around.
RocketQueen--that one was on was Aruba.
The AP report I read on yahoo says it was a lawmaker, Picewell Forbes, who announced at a convention that Pleasant Bridgewater (whatta name!) had been cleared. http://omg.yahoo.com/news/judge-orders-retrial-in-travolta-extortion-case/29959?nc
ReplyDeleteThe Bahamas have become the standard by which all unabashed political corruption can be measured. They just don't care.
As for closure, the Travoltas will never have that. When you lose a child, there is no closure except in the movies.
whole_lotto's comment reminded me...Did anyone see Reservation Road?
ReplyDeleteThat movie about losing a child broke my heart. Great acting - but no closure even in that movie. Not sure it's possible.
I suspect it has something to do with the anti-American sentiment that's so rampant around the world now (and for good reason). Like they're thinking "fuck the U.S. and their fucking celebrities."
ReplyDeleteAnd good point ea73. I don't doubt that Jett's parents loved him very much, but I also think that he did NOT get what he needed as a result of that fucked-up cult.
It really is unfortunate that justice wasn't served. It's yet again another reminder (along with Anna Nicole Smith death) that the Bahamian way of doing things is a little different and it reflects very poorly on the country.
ReplyDeleteThis is a country that is completely dependent on tourism and gambling. They have no other revenue source (eg. oil/gas/agriculture). If memory serves me correct, they don't even have income tax. Hence the reason the wealthy flock there - it's a tax haven. Now, when people think of the Bahamas, they may associate it with corruption decide to spend their tourism dollars elsewhere.
I've been there and it is by far, one of the prettiest places on earth. The people are the nicest you'll ever meet. Particularly when they find out you're Canadian. lol
The Bahamas are corrupt, but Atlantis is seriously AWESOME. I had such a good time there.
ReplyDeleteI think everybody is just so used to celebrities winning everything and always getting off easy, when they do not win something, it's a shock. Too bad for John and Kelly that they didn't win because I think they are right in this case, but there are millions of people who get screwed over by the justice system, in the Bahamas AND everywhere else in the world.
ReplyDeleteThey weren't 'screwed over.' A mistrial was declared in a criminal case. Remains to be seen if there will be another trial. Do I think these two will be convicted and serve time? Of course not. And yeah, it does reflect poorly on the Bahamas. Have never had any interest in going there anyway.
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