Roman Polanski's Arrest

[David]

Concerning all the news about Roman Polanski, I am curious to find out some people's point of view on it.

From my point of view, he was convicted for the statutory rape of a 13-year old girl, and he fled the USA before he could be sentenced.. He stayed away made millions of dollars enjoying his freedom and getting praised for his work in the movie world.

The victim, has now stated that she wants him freed. She also had got an undisclosed settlement from Polanski. It was stated that she would not have to testify against him.

I my own opinion, she got paid, which is good for her but that does not wipe away what he was convicted of. Why concern ourselves if the victim will not testify, he was already convicted.

The things that sort of irritate me is that Roman Polanski is getting a lot of support from the freaking movie people, trying to use fame to get him freed. There are some people in the movie business that are not so supportive and feel him being arrested is a good thing and I applaud them.

The French are outraged and want him released...... Why do we care about French (in general), what are they going to do? Surrender? I swear, maybe it is from my bias point of view, but the French are ....... never mind I digress.

Anyway what is you opinion?

[a nameless entity]

From CTV News:

Polanski has lived in France since 1978, when he fled the United States after pleading guilty the year before to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

The director, now 76, has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn another judge's refusal to throw out the case. Polanski has levelled allegations of misconduct at the original judge in the case, who is now deceased, saying he reneged on a previously arranged plea bargain.

Polanski was accused of raping the teenager during a photo shoot in 1977 at the home of Jack Nicholson, while the actor was away. The girl testified that the director gave her champagne and part of a Quaalude pill and proceeded to have intercourse with her despite her protests.

Polanski pled guilty to one of six charges, unlawful sexual intercourse. He was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation.

Defence and prosecution lawyers were satisfied with the 42-day sentence.
However, the judge tried to overturn the plea bargain, which would have meant more prison time and eventual deportation for the director, who chose instead to flee to France.

The victim, who identified herself publicly many years ago, has supported Polanski's attempts to have the case dismissed.

Samantha Geimer, now 45, has said she would like to put the ordeal behind her. She previously sued Polanski for an undisclosed sum.

(The italics are mine)

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There are lots of spurious stories out there about who did what and who lied, and how the judge reneged on the deal, etc. etc.

One does wonder why and just exactly what he has been arrested for. The original crime he pleaded guilty to and served some time for? Do they want a retrial?

Or is it the fact that he ran away and has embarrassed the U.S. justice system all these years?