BREAKING NEWS: John Travolta Testifies About Son's Death, Says Jett Was Autistic
Sept. 23 2009, Published 3:20 p.m. ET
John Travolta took the stand and testified against two defendants accused of blackmailing him following the tragic death of his son Jett earlier in the year.
See photos of Travolta heading to court
The heartbroken actor also told the court that Jett was autistic, a fact assumed by most in Hollywood but never openly discussed by John and wife Kelly Preston.
Click here to read about Travolta arriving at the courthouse
In his testimony he revealed the details of his son's seizures for the first time.
"My son was autistic and suffered from seizure disorder. Every five to 10 days he suffered seizures which lasted 45 seconds to a minute," Travolta testified before a jury of six women and three men.
Click here to read about the defendants pleading not guilty
RadarOnline.com is in the Bahamian courtroom and Travolta was so somber and quiet in reliving his son's tragic death that at one point the court asked him to speak up in order to be heard.
Travolta Jury Selected In Extortion Case
He wore a black suit and silver tie. Wife Kelly looked on as he testified that they were awakened by a pounding on the door from Eli Wheaton, one of their nannies. They were at the family vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama island. Travolta owns four connecting condos there.
Travolta, 55, said he ran downstairs and found Jett on the bathroom floor. Another nanny, Jeff Katrein, was giving the boy CPR when Travolta arrived. There was also a woman from the resort assisting.
Rescue Worker Reveals Details Surrounding Jett Travolta's Death
The actor jumped in and began performing CPR on Jett. He asked if anyone had called an ambulance and was told one was on the way.
Travolta is on a list of 14 witnesses scheduled to give evidence at the trial of paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, who are charged in connection with a $25 million blackmail scheme against the actor. Police say the defendants were involved in trying to extort money out of Travolta surrounding a document that purportedly would show Travolta refused an ambulance. But police say the actor signed the document because he was considering flying Jett to Florida for emergency treatment.
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Travolta Family's First Public Appearance Since Son's Death
Jett was taken to a local hospital and died January 2 of this year. His death certificate ruled cause of death as seizure disorder.
