Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Forgive? Forget about it


More than 30 years after fleeing a prison sentence for having sex with a 13-year-old, film director Roman Polanski wants a court to dismiss the conviction. Prosecutors in Los Angeles have fired back with both barrels, filing an explicit document with the court spelling out allegations that the young girl was given alcohol and drugs before she was forced into oral sex, intercourse and sodomy by Polanski, who allegedly told the girl that the encounter was “our secret.” Polanski, now 75 and living in France, and his lawyers are raising the issue of prosecutorial and judicial misconduct. That would hold a lot more weight were it not for the fact that Polanski pleaded guilty to a felony charge in order for the other charges to be dismissed. That was acceptable to the victim, who wanted to avoid a trial. However, on the day he was to be sentenced, Polanski fled the country. Prosecutors are arguing that Polanski’s motion for dismissal should be summarily rejected unless he, himself, is present for the hearing. Of course, that would subject him to immediate arrest, so you know he’s not showing up. This would have been a great case for a guy like “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” who could’ve snatched Polanski off a street in Paris, stuffed him in the back of a Lear jet and taken him back to L.A. It’s easy to say that, after more than 30 years in exile, Polanski has been punished enough. But we can’t forget that, according to the allegations, a 13-year-old child was drugged and raped repeatedly. Justice, in this case, would be for Polanski to go to prison, and die there.

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6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have mixed feelings about Roman Polanski -- an often-great filmmaker (his output has been fairly erratic in the last 30 years) but maybe not a guy you'd want to have a beer with.

Not defending what he did, but he apparently fled the country after he heard the judge was going to renege on the plea deal that had been worked out, and I think that's at the basis of the judicial misconduct suit his lawyers are filing.

There was a documentary that came out last year, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," that goes into some detail on his career and the case. I haven't seen it yet, but will at some point.

--Brad Hundt

--Brad

January 7, 2009 at 2:09 PM  
Blogger PRIguy said...

He's a rapist, child molester and a coward. Stay in France, Bud. They love cowards there.

January 7, 2009 at 2:16 PM  
Blogger Brant said...

He entered an open plea to the sex charge, which means the sentence is entirely up to the discretion of the judge. Whatever deal he made or thinks he made in some back room at the courthouse is irrelevant. Plus, he's a child molester and a fugitive from justice. I have no sympathy for him.

January 7, 2009 at 3:27 PM  
Blogger Dale Lolley said...

Could you imagine the outcry in Hollywood if Polanski ever went to jail? I've seen documentaries and such with stars talking about how it's terrible he can't come back to the U.S. because he's been persecuted.
Please.

January 8, 2009 at 6:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brad, his talent has NOTHING to do with the fact that he is a rapist. He is wealthy and a rapist. Brant is right that open pleas are just that, the judge can change them. That is the chance you take when you are a scumbag.

January 9, 2009 at 1:06 AM  
Blogger Lou Louis said...

I'd do him

January 11, 2009 at 8:06 PM  

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