Director Roman Polanski Arrested After 31 Years on the Run! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-27-2009, 09:19 AM

ZURICH - Director Roman Polanski was taken into custody, Swiss police confirmed Sunday, on a 1978 U.S. arrest warrant for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Polanski was flying in to receive an honorary award at the Zurich Film Festival when he was detained late Saturday at the airport, festival organizers said in a statement.

Zurich police spokesman Stefan Oberlin confirmed Polanski's arrest, but refused to provide more details because he said it was a matter for the Swiss Justice Ministry.

Ministry spokesman Guido Balmer declined to comment. Rudolf Wyss, the Justice Ministry deputy director, also declined to comment on the case. But he told The Associated Press that Switzerland and the United States have an extradition treaty dating back to the 1950s that is still in force.

Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978, a year after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

The 76-year-old director of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn a judges' refusal to throw out his case. He claims misconduct by the now-deceased judge who had arranged a plea bargain and then reneged on it.

Polanski has lived for the past three decades in France, where his career has continued to flourish. He received a directing Oscar in absentia for the 2002 movie "The Pianist."

Festival organizers said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with Sunday's planned retrospective of the director's work.

The Swiss Directors Association sharply criticized authorities for what it deemed "not only a grotesque farce of justice, but also an immense cultural scandal."

A native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, Polanski escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp.

He worked his way into filmmaking in Poland, gaining an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film in 1964 for his "Knife in the Water." Offered entry to Hollywood, he directed the classic "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968.

But his life was shattered again in 1969 when his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and four other people were gruesomely murdered by followers of Charles Manson. She was eight months pregnant.

He went on to make another American classic, "Chinatown," released in 1974.

In 1977, he was accused of raping a teenager while photographing her during a modeling session. The girl said Polanski plied her with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill at Jack Nicholson's house while the actor was away. She said that, despite her protests, he performed oral sex, intercourse and sodomy on her.

Polanski was allowed to plead guilty to one of six charges, unlawful sexual intercourse, and was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation.

Lawyers agreed that would be his full sentence, but the judge tried to renege on the plea bargain. Aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time and require his voluntary deportation, Polanski fled to France.

The victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over. She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/20...#ixzz0SJgNAhQB

Mr. Television · 09-27-2009, 09:53 AM

It's about time. This is long overdo.

Brian Damage · 09-27-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It's about time. This is long overdo.

I agree, it made me so angry to see him get away with this for over 30 years. It was also sickening to see Hollywood's "elite" give him a standing ovation at the Oscars a couple of years ago when for winning an award.

Liza · 09-27-2009, 11:23 AM

He hasn't "gotten away" with anything. First of all, he followed the terms of his original plea agreement, then after the time specified was served the judge changed his mind and was going to make him serve longer. That's when he fled to France, where he's had to live as a branded criminal for decades. Samantha Geimer who was the girl in question has publically forgiven him and attempted to have the case dismissed. The court said the only reason they wouldn't was because Polanski failed to appear in court. I can't blame him for being afraid to appear in court when the last time he did he was totally taken advantage of.

I hope his finally being in custody means there's going to be an end to this fiasco. This case should have been dismissed long ago, when Samantha first asked them to. No one's winning here.

Liza · 09-27-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

It was also sickening to see Hollywood's "elite" give him a standing ovation at the Oscars a couple of years ago when for winning an award.

They also gave Spielberg a standing ovation. He and John Landis were responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two children.

Brian Damage · 09-27-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liza

They also gave Spielberg a standing ovation. He and John Landis were responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two children.

Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.

browneyes106 · 09-27-2009, 11:40 AM

I think the case should get dismissed. I'm not condoning what Polanski did but I can understand where the victim wants to put the past behind her. I have also found it weird that people in the film industry still continued to work with Polanski after he fled to France. I think maybe in the film industry when it comes to awards people just see people as collegues or filmmakers and not as the people they are.

Liza · 09-27-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.

Granted. Just pointing out that there are plenty of skeletons in Hollywood closets.

Brian Damage · 09-27-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liza

Granted. Just pointing out that there are plenty of skeletons in Hollywood closets.

Oh, I agree with that, Woody Allen is a perfect example of that.

Brian Damage · 09-27-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I think the case should get dismissed. I'm not condoning what Polanski did but I can understand where the victim wants to put the past behind her. I have also found it weird that people in the film industry still continued to work with Polanski after he fled to France. I think maybe in the film industry when it comes to awards people just see people as collegues or filmmakers and not as the people they are.

I respectfully disagree. He still broke the law.

Liza · 09-27-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I respectfully disagree. He still broke the law.

What good is really being served when the victim wants the case dismissed? Where is the benefit? I don't see any winners here.

Sharop · 09-27-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liza

They also gave Spielberg a standing ovation. He and John Landis were responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two children.

That's the first I've heard about anything like that - what happened?

I think Steven Spielberg is a nice guy.

catlover79 · 09-27-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Sorry, but there is a difference here and I think you know the difference between a horrific accident and intentionally having sex with a mnor.

Amen. Hopefully now this whole thing can be put to bed (not literally!).

MickeyMac · 09-27-2009, 03:05 PM

He has managed to live his life as he wishes. Its time for him to face his music. My guess is he probably wont get any jail time over this because its been so long, and the girl seems to want to forget this.

catlover79 · 09-27-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

He has managed to live his life as he wishes. Its time for him to face his music. My guess is he probably wont get any jail time over this because its been so long, and the girl seems to want to forget this.

Yeah, I think the statute of limitations may have run out in this case.

09-27-2009, 09:19 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Director Roman Polanski Arrested After 31 Years on the Run! ZURICH - Director Roman Polanski was taken into custody, Swiss police confirmed Sunday, on a 1978 U.S. arrest warrant for having sex with a 13-year-old girl. Polanski was flying in to receive an honorary award at the Zurich Film Festival when he was detained late Saturday at the airport, festival organizers said in a statement. Zurich police spokesman Stefan Oberlin confirmed Polanski's arrest, but refused to provide more details because he said it was a matter for the Swiss Justice Ministry. Ministry spokesman Guido Balmer declined to comment. Rudolf Wyss, the Justice Ministry deputy director, also declined to comment on the case. But he told The Associated Press that Switzerland and the United States have an extradition treaty dating back to the 1950s that is still in force. Polanski fled the U.S. in 1978, a year after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. The 76-year-old director of such classic films as "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has asked a U.S. appeals court in California to overturn a judges' refusal to throw out his case. He claims misconduct by the now-deceased judge who had arranged a plea bargain and then reneged on it. Polanski has lived for the past three decades in France, where his career has continued to flourish. He received a directing Oscar in absentia for the 2002 movie "The Pianist." Festival organizers said Polanski's detention had caused "shock and dismay," but that they would go ahead with Sunday's planned retrospective of the director's work. The Swiss Directors Association sharply criticized authorities for what it deemed "not only a grotesque farce of justice, but also an immense cultural scandal." A native of France who was taken to Poland by his parents, Polanski escaped Krakow's Jewish ghetto as a child and lived off the charity of strangers. His mother died at the Auschwitz Nazi death camp. He worked his way into filmmaking in Poland, gaining an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film in 1964 for his "Knife in the Water." Offered entry to Hollywood, he directed the classic "Rosemary's Baby" in 1968. But his life was shattered again in 1969 when his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and four other people were gruesomely murdered by followers of Charles Manson. She was eight months pregnant. He went on to make another American classic, "Chinatown," released in 1974. In 1977, he was accused of raping a teenager while photographing her during a modeling session. The girl said Polanski plied her with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill at Jack Nicholson's house while the actor was away. She said that, despite her protests, he performed oral sex, intercourse and sodomy on her. Polanski was allowed to plead guilty to one of six charges, unlawful sexual intercourse, and was sent to prison for 42 days of evaluation. Lawyers agreed that would be his full sentence, but the judge tried to renege on the plea bargain. Aware the judge would sentence him to more prison time and require his voluntary deportation, Polanski fled to France. The victim, Samantha Geimer, who long ago identified herself publicly, has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal, saying she wants the case to be over. She sued Polanski and reached an undisclosed settlement. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/20...#ixzz0SJgNAhQB
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-27-2009, 09:53 AM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	It's about time. This is long overdo.
	__________________ Sonny

09-27-2009, 11:23 AM	#4
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	He hasn't "gotten away" with anything. First of all, he followed the terms of his original plea agreement, then after the time specified was served the judge changed his mind and was going to make him serve longer. That's when he fled to France, where he's had to live as a branded criminal for decades. Samantha Geimer who was the girl in question has publically forgiven him and attempted to have the case dismissed. The court said the only reason they wouldn't was because Polanski failed to appear in court. I can't blame him for being afraid to appear in court when the last time he did he was totally taken advantage of. I hope his finally being in custody means there's going to be an end to this fiasco. This case should have been dismissed long ago, when Samantha first asked them to. No one's winning here.

09-27-2009, 11:40 AM	#7
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I think the case should get dismissed. I'm not condoning what Polanski did but I can understand where the victim wants to put the past behind her. I have also found it weird that people in the film industry still continued to work with Polanski after he fled to France. I think maybe in the film industry when it comes to awards people just see people as collegues or filmmakers and not as the people they are.

09-27-2009, 03:05 PM	#14
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	He has managed to live his life as he wishes. Its time for him to face his music. My guess is he probably wont get any jail time over this because its been so long, and the girl seems to want to forget this.