Roman Polanski attorneys may have provoked arrest by complaining L.A. wasn't serious about arresting director

Roman Polanski’s attorneys may have helped provoke his arrest by complaining to an appellate court this summer that Los Angeles prosecutors had never made any real effort to arrest the filmmaker in his three decades as a fugitive, two sources familiar with the case told The Times.

The accusation that the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office was not serious about extraditing Polanski was a small part of two July court filings by the director’s attorneys. But it caught the attention of prosecutors and led to his capture in Switzerland on Saturday, the sources said.

Polanski, 76, was taken into custody at the airport in Zurich, where he was scheduled to headline the city’s film festival. Details of his appearance were widely available on the Internet. Variety also reported his planned attendance in August, the month after Polanski’s attorneys had filed two separate documents with the 2nd District of the state Court of Appeal asking for a dismissal of the 32-year-old child sex case against the filmmaker.

In both, the lawyers alleged that the district attorney’s office in effect benefited from Polanski’s absence, because as long as he remained a fugitive, officials could avoid answering allegations of prosecutorial and judicial wrongdoing in the original handling of the case.

“The district attorney’s office, in the 30 years since Mr. Polanski left the jurisdiction, has not once sought to have him extradited. If it had, there would have been a hearing regarding misconduct in this case,” wrote the attorneys, Chad Hummel, Douglas Dalton and Bart Dalton, in a July 7 filing.

Twenty days later, they filed a second document and raised the issue again in a footnote. “Combined with the fact that no effort has been made to extradite Mr. Polanski, the intent here is clear: invoke a physical absence which they caused and deliberately perpetuate in order to preserve the unconstitutional status quo and never address the misconduct head on,” the lawyers wrote. 

The allegations prompted the district attorney’s office to look for an opportunity to seize Polanski, and his appearance in Switzerland, which has an extradition treaty with the U.S., provided such a chance, said the sources, who spoke to The Times on the condition that they not be named because it was an ongoing investigation.

In bemoaning Polanski’s arrest, his supporters have noted that in recent years the director traveled widely in Europe without fear of arrest and even owned a home in Switzerland.

The arrest has become an international incident, with France and Poland demanding that the famed director be released on bail and questioning why he was taken into custody.

The district attorney's office wants Polanski extradited to face charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 1977.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told France-Inter radio that he and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that Polanski be released on bail, calling his arrest  a "bit sinister."

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand was quoted in French media as saying, "In the same way that there is a generous America that we like, there is also a scary America that has just shown its face."

Swiss authorities told the Associated Press that bail has not been ruled out, but the director would have to stay in Switzerland.

Robert Harris, a British novelist who had worked with Polanski, said in a statement that he believed the arrest was "politically motivated." "I am shocked that any man of 76, whether distinguished or not, should have been treated in such a fashion," he said.

-- Harriet Ryan and Richard Winton

Photo: Polanski leaves court on Sept. 19, 1977, after being ordered to undergo a 90-day diagnostic study at a state prison. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[lark]

I think it's absolutely correct that any man over 76 should not be held responsible for crimes.

Charles Manson is 74. Under this standard he should be released in two years.

Or is the standard different for Hollywood celebrities?

[CornerJ]

So Polanski's apologists come out of the woodwork to object to his extradition citing as their reasons:

1) It was soooo long ago, and he's been a model citizen (so far as we know) all that time.
2) He's famous, he's cool, and he's too old now.
3) Hey, he managed to escape, you couldn't catch him all this time, and who knows, we may need to do the same some day.
4) So what if he committed rape and sodomy on a 13-year old kid that he drugged. This stuff happens all the time in Hollywood.
5) The victim says she's cool with it now, 32 years later (and thanks, Roman, for the keys to the BMW just for saying I'm cool with it now).

Did I miss any?

[michael cornwell]

Considering the LA County Budget issues, it would seem DA Cooley has more important local issues to deal with.....in addition, this is another bit of negative publicity for our law endorcement folks.

[JD]

The man committed a serious crime and fled the country. There is a reason why civilized societies have laws... he needs to pay for his crime. I am shocked at the number of people who say 'we have to listen to the victim' or '30 years is too long to take him in now'.. what is wrong with all of those people? We live by rules, we have to follow them or we are in violation of those rules. If we want the rules changed, that's why we have a system to change them. The system is flawed but having sex with a 13yr old goes beyond any civilized societies rules. We have an obligation to protect children. Interesting that having sex with a minor is not considered a crime in France.

[prunoid]

This predator needs to be put behind bars and die there!

[ferdinand bresky]

The LA District attorney's office is like the Gestapo,they act without regards for human dignity,no matter what the issue is.They seem to have no control or accountability for their acts.And Americans dont know why the world hate us?

[the q]

First, Lister, now Polanski...who's next?

Way to go, Cooley......

[Ed]

"The district attorney's office wants Polanski extradited to face charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 1977."

Get the facts straight Polanski is not facing charges he has already gone to court an plead guilty he only facing sentencing. THIS SCUM has been on the run for 30 years and it is only his fame and his money that has stop justice for being carried out.

[Alex]

"I am shocked that any man of 76, whether distinguished or not, should have been treated in such a fashion," Robert Harris, a British novelist, said.

Oh, and a girl of 13 can be treated in such a fashion? being drugged, given alcohol and raped, etc., thats just dandy.

[He drugged his victim before raping her]

Will someone at the L.A. Times please show this story to Patrick Goldstein, who wrote a lengthy column yesterday stating this:

Polanski "drugged his victim with Champagne and Quaaludes before raping her during a 1977 photo session at Jack Nicholson's house".

And yet, Goldstein drones on and on about L.A. County prosecutors wasting taxpayer money and paints Polanski to be the real victim. I sincerely hope Goldstein doesn't have a daughter.

Goldstein's column appeared as the lead story on the LAT Web page yesterday, an odd choice because it made it seem as though the LAT backed this view. I was glad to see this news piece as a top story (although not with a photo as Goldstein's did yesterday), but someone ought to bring it to the attention of Goldstein in case he wants to write a follow up column correcting his first view.

[Patrick]

I find the logic that he has been free while traveling widely (although not to the US) or the initial case was flawed so should not face prosecution incredible. This man got away with it and then went about his life normally. he admitted to drugging and having sex with a 13 year old. The French perspective is especially repugnant , calling it "sinister." What kind of society shields a confessed pedophile with such a statement?

[B T]

He was a fugitive felon. Why should he not be arrested when he becomes available? It might be true that LA County prosecutors are lazy, slow, and have something to hide. But Polanski still needs to answer for his own actions, that he plead guilty to, in court and in person.

No self-respecting court is going to drop charges on a man that is not in hand where he can be punished. If they did, it encourages every person on bail to run and hope that charges drop when the prosecutors get tired of looking. No way it will happen.

[jim hatch]

He failed to appear for sentencing after pleading guilty to a reduced charge. The facts are he drugged and raped a 13 year old. he must be brought to justice, despite the victims foregiveness, his celebrity status, and the time that has elapsed.
we are a nation of laws, and one in which all citizens are not above the law.

[john]

Let's see...
He admitted to and pled guilty of intercourse with a 13 year girl; then fled from paying his debt. And his arrest is wrong for what reason? Have you ever been the father of a 13 year old girl? All who object to Polanski facing the music are moraly depraved. How totally sick and sad.

[Justice Served]

He Raped a 13 year old girl. Facts are facts, he plead guilty. If he was so innocent why run. He should be a man and step to the charges and fight the charges.

[Taggart]

Has Europe really become so degenerate that they can't fathom the arrest of a rapist who has been a fugitive from justice for 3 decades?

[Christopher P. Maloney]

It is imperative for our government to start correcting the wrings which have been perpetrated by these Dirtbags.

Roman Polandki has made a mockery of the American people. He is a child molester of the highest degree.

No wonder, he derives from Eurotrash. He's a pervert not unlike the freak that sits outside an elementary school and masterbates while looking at little kids playing in the school's sandbox.

Our government must bring this guy into court in chains to send a clear message to the rest of the world that we as a people will not take their crap any longer.

Look at our government and it's lack of interest to hunt down and get that scumbag Osama Bin Laden.

We need to strong arm that depraved culture and make them hand that killer now or else.

We can start to send a message out to the rest of the works by using Polanski as an prime example.

They need to learn that they must live under the LAW.

He and his products must be banned from entering the US.

If he feels that he has done no wrong, then he must come back and face the judge. If there was wrongdoing, then he will have to appeal his case like every other person.

Allowing this scumbag to go on for 30 years goes to show that our government is more interested in dealing will Americans as opposed to high profile and affluent Eurotrash.

What do you expect from the French. Boycott them now! We should place an economic embargo on them. They must learn that they must play ball or else!

Bring Polanski back in chains now!

Make him learn that he is not above the law!

[John]

Notwithstanding the legal mumbo-jumbo, Polanski did in fact drug and rape a
13-year old and his celebrity status shouldn't get him pass.

[Jason]

about time, he drugged and raped a 13 year old girl. he should go to jail for the rest of his short life.

[tonyv]

Is it really all that "sinister" to pursue an admitted sex offender. After all, Mr Polanski did confess to having sex with the young girl after he drugged her. I don't recall Mr Polanski or his lawyers stating that the confession was in any way coerced. They state merely that the plea deal to which he agreed was retracted, and thus they charge misconduct. Why? Because Mr Polanski didn't care to spend time incarcerated? How arrogant of Mr Polanski to expect that there would be no punishment for his crime.

Without a doubt, were Mr Polanski less notable, there would be no discussion on the matter of extradition.

[K-Cat]

As serious as the crime may have been, this seems like a horrendous waste of resources by our DA now. Under his plea deal accepted by prosecutors AND the judge in 1978, he would not serve any more time.

So why are we creating an international incident 32 years later? The victim herself wants this dropped, a sitting judge has found impropriety by the old judge who violated the agreement and we have Europe up in arms over it.

Drop it, I say. Drop it before LA and our justice system damage their reputations further.

[repo4sale]

Hey, when you drug, rape, sodomize a 13 year old, then flee the court to avoid prison, you deserve to be "arrested" and "deported" back to the country of the crime. We "deport" many felons all the time. What's the problem? He can serve his time, pay the fee and be a man now. Or does he want to just pay a $10 Million fine?

[Fred Keyes]

One effect of this story is that it has flushed out those who support and defend Polanski-type behavior.

I wonder how many sex crimes could be solved if the DNA of all of Polanski's defenders could be added to the roster of people who could be matched to evidence gathered from rape victims?

[Carlson]

This is gigantic news overseas and is stoking anti-Americanism further. The fact that our justice system lied to one of Europe's biggest heroes to get him to plead guilty is not going over well in Europe.

It's a terrible crime he was accused of, granted. But this is another ding on America's reputation abroad that we can ill afford.

[costamesaray]

It is about time that pervert was held accountable for his actions.

[codymccall]

Victor Hugo's Javert isn't dead but alive and well and living in the L.A. prosecutor's office. And probably up for election to something. And trying to use this antiquated legal relic as a spring board. How pathetic. Didn't the female in this 'case' state long ago she had no interest in filing criminal or civil charges? If so, then why should anybody care about this Hollywood historical footnote? Oh, right, it's politics and Polanski could be politically useful. Well, knock yerself out, Javert. I'm sure we'll all feel a lot safer with old Roman in the slammer.

[k webster]

Children have a right not to be sexual prey, even for rich/white/ famous and insecure men. The US needs to send a message about this crime, damn the expense. Since when does being an "Artist" exempt you from from rules of law or decency? Instead of feeling aggrieved for being brought to trial, how about a little remorse?

[arvar]

He left a pending business and now will have to finish it.
It does not matter if we like him or not, the story seems biased because it just quotes a friend...

[Jonesy]

Here's a story about a sex offender who admittedly had sex with a 13 year old girl, and the comments section starts with:
"If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate."

Now, THAT's ironic. There are a lot of things that 13 year old children can't participate in, which is the whole point in the first place. This guy belongs in prison. No one is above the law.

[anon]

"He did something really gross to me, but it was the media that ruined my life," she told People in 1997.

[jacksplat]

He is a Pervert. Hard to imagine politicians standing up for him. Well, that's France for you.

[Geo]

While I do NOT condone Mr Polanski's original actions/crimes I question the monies that will be put to this case when LA has How Many 1,000s of backed up NOT tested evidence Rape Kits currentl, because of a lack of funds?
There are 1,000s of Victims/Witnesses being ignored, disserviced, arbitrarily pushed back, to appease the DAs office's ego!?
There are possibly 1,000s of current rapists in LA,CA,US, being allowed to wander freely, not worrying about being imprisoned because a notorius decades old case is more important to the system then protecting Society now?!!

Here's your chance DA! Announce that "...as important as catching Mr P was Your Office prefers to use it's limited funds to pursue all the unknown/known current viable threats of RAPE rather then squander dollars in this economy!"

[Leo]

"Harris, a British novelist who had worked with Polanski, said in a statement that he believed the arrest was "politically motivated." "I am shocked that any man of 76, whether distinguished or not, should have been treated in such a fashion," he said."

So does Harris believe that anyone who manages to evade justice for long enough should be let off their crimes? Reminds me of John Huston's line in Polanski's film 'Chinatown' : 'Ugly buildings, politicians and whores all get respectable if they live long enough.'

Polanski was 44 and the girl 13 at the time of the offence. How Harris or anyone else can defend him is beyond me. But there again, Robert Harris is a well known supporter of Britain's ruling Labour Party, which, let's face it, isn't exactly synonymous with morally upstanding behaviour.

[sunny]

I wonder if Polanski has sex with his own children too, one never knows what a pedophile will do.

[Dean]

All this whining about America being scary etc, loses site of the fact that he was a fugitive. He broke the law. There is no need for an uproar over someone who ran away from being prosecuted for his crime. Stupid.

[David From Central Ohio]

Mr. Polanski should be brought back and sentenced. The passing of time doesn't change the fact of what he did. Drugging a raping a 13 year old?? I don't care if he is 76. He needs to answer.

[Justice]

Thank you Switzerland.

[Dick Diamond]

If Polanski's legal team felt that his appearance in Los Angeles would have allowed them to questional the case proceedings against him, why not get im to come to the U.S? Because they have no case.
Bring him back. Let him stand before the bar of justice.
He would haven't wanted no less for those who killed his wife (Manson group) if they would have fled. Of course, he had the resources. They did not.
He molested a 13 year old girl who didn't give consent (as if a 13 year old is capable of giving consent) to the sexual penetration. He was convicted and is a fugitive from justice. Bring him back!

[deadinLA]

Funny how all these comments are all absent of the case facts.

[nat turner]

Good . As officers of the court they have a duty to justice . hehehehehehe .

[JewelD]

OK - how does accusing the judge of making a mistake exonerate Polanski from allegedly giving a quaalude to a 13 year old, and then having anal sex with her?

I'm glad they arrested him, and I hope they extradite him.

Nice work on his own lawyers part to punt the ball to the opposing team, too. I guess that's what it took.

[Susan Alexander Llauget]

I am disgusted by the people who are defending Roman Polanski. This is a peadophile who raped a 13-year-old girl. Just because he's a talented director doesn't mean he should get away with his crime.
Rape is rape, no matter who prepetrates the crime.

[Robert]

Leave it to the crack LA District Attorney's Office to continue to pursue a 30-year-old crime that NOBODY cares about including the victim of the crime - who has petitioned the court to drop the case. Way to go DA's office! You got your man!! It's not like there are any of the more pressing issues you should be concentrating your time and resources on in Los Angeles - like drugs, gang warfare, corporate malfeasance, abuse towards minorities and immigrants, murder....

[mike]

i say this to those who feel that this is a "waste of money or a gross injustice" to prosecute polanski .

what if it was your child that was drugged and raped ? no one is about the law .

scary americans ! how about scary frenchmen who condone this despicable act perpetrated on a 13 yr old.

[thetruth]

This is all calculated so that he can return to Hollywood. Don't be naive and think he will have to serve for his crime. He's Jewish.

[Calvin]

Let's not forget that Polanski was charged (not the legal version) with the underage sex with Natassia Kinski when she was about 16 or 17 years old. As with any pedaphile you have to wonder how many didn't bring charges or the local law community refused to indict. Yes, he did admit to the sex with Kinski as well.

[ron d]

finally justice has arrived for polanski! once a pedophile always a pedophile!

[AlphaSentinel]

If the world is comfortable tracking down and prosecuting Nazi war criminals, years after commission of acts the world has deemed a crime, why are so many uncomfortable tracking down Roman Polanski who committed a vile crime?

[PerryL]

You know what, if putting a child molester behind bars hurts our standing with foreign countries, I'm not so sure we want good relations with them.

[kooo]

In criminal cases, the state decides if and when to prosecute the crime, NOT THE VICTIM. That's why criminal cases are titled "The State of California" vs. "John Doe"... As for if there is a political motive behind this, it doesn't change the fact that a 13 year old girl was drugged and raped. I wonder if all the people treating what this child molester has done as nothing more than some traffic ticket would feel the same if this sexual pervert drugged and raped their 13 year old daughter, and then listen to their daughter later defend her rapist. The prosecution called the defense lawyers' bluff, and now they are shocked and outraged. This animal's crimes doesn't really shock me, but the reactions of some people, especially European politicians and artists praising this pedophile is what really shocks me.

[Silvia]

Roman Polanski is a wonderful director, he also experienced more than enough tragedy to last a few lifetimes. However, he was in his forties when he raped a child. Whether she forgives him or not, he is accountable for his actions. Raping young girls is a crime and Polanski or not, he is responsible to pay his debt for that crime.

[BobbyG]

I simply cite five uncontested facts, and one assertion. Roman Polanski [1] drugged, [2] raped, [3] sodomized [4] a then- 13 year old minor female. He subsequently [5] unlawfully fled the criminal jurisdiction.

He should be returned to California and incarcerated there for the period and in the manner appropriate for such felony offenses. Some things in life are simple.

[Biblethumper]

Hey, did Roman take any bathtub time pictures of his kids and turn them into Wal Mart? If so, let's get em!

[Paul]

You know what would scare me more than getting caught for something I did do? Getting arrested, tried and convicted of a crime I DID NOT DO. Polanski, like many civilians when dealing with the corrupt legal system (hmmmm...like any system in a capitalistic society is free of corruption), was duped into a plea deal then screwed for political reasons. Now..he's being screwed again. The amazing thing is how fast this country has turned from "innocent until proven guilty" to the exact opposite....with sound bites and slick editing coming from our media feeding the fire.

[susan]

I think there's a lack of knowledge in europe on the original charges. they're extremely serious. A lot of people think he had a consensual relationship with a 15 year old, which is not the same instance. He drugged and brutally assaulted a 13 year old girl. People are put away for that in France, too.

[Bill T]

If it happened a long time ago, and girl didn't really mind being raped, and the mother didn't really mind if her daughter was raped, and the guy admitted to it but then jumped bail, and the guy is talented, then that all means he's special. So the ordinary rules shouldn't apply and we should just forget it.

Sometimes the Hollywood Kiss-Up mentality is just awesome to behold.

[Stan Smith]

It is only fitting that the lifetime achievement award he receives is one for raping a 13 year old he drugged beforehand. That is his legacy, one far more revealing of the true man he was, than was his cinematic directorial talent.

[Ron Larson]

There were two crimes here. Polanski's rape, and the DA's failure to actively pursue him.

Contrary to his attorney's assertion, two wrong do not make a right.

[Surprised]

So surprised he has supporters - he raped a 13 year old and fled. 13 year old.

[David]

No bail for Polanski. He is a flight risk. He did it once, if released again he would simply never leave France again.

Also, the French obviously think that if someone is a famed film director they should be absolved of all criminal wrongdoing -- even the most despicable crimes. Maybe in France they believe in two systems of justice -- one for the rich and one for everyone else. But here we don't. France and other Europeans must respect our laws ... especially since they want their own laws respected.

[Peter Lee]

Commenter codymccall's familiarity with Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables and its character Inspector Javert seems to end with knowing their names. He seems entirely unfamiliar with the actual story or theme of the book. Javert relentless pursued a man convicted of stealing a loaf of bread out of hunger. Are we seriously supposed to think drugging and raping a 13-year-old at a Hollywood party held at Jack Nicholson's house is comparable to a desperate hungry man taking some food? Like so many of Polanski's defender, codymccall have a very warped and indefensible sense of justice, logic and reason.

[F Zamarripa]

I applaud the District Atty's office for getting a fugitive. Even though Polanski paid a settlement to this lady, he is not above the law. No one is!

[mindkandy]

"Robert Harris, a British novelist who had worked with Polanski, said in a statement that he believed the arrest was "politically motivated." "I am shocked that any man of 76, whether distinguished or not, should have been treated in such a fashion," he said."

Too bad Hitler didn't live long enough to win Mr. Harris' graces. What a stupid comment!

[ColoradoRob]

Of course he should be brought back and held accountable for Drugging and Raping a Child. I'm sure she was handsomely paid to forgive and forget, but no matter what the circumstances he still Drugged and Raped a Child. And Shame on Hollywood and his Movie Business Friends for acting so outraged over this!!!

[enrique]

Justice has been served.Thank you Switzerland for not being neutral on this issue. And by the way. I'm an artist, not famous yet, but it doesn't put us above the law.

[bubbles]

go to www.thesmokinggun.com where one can read the victim's deposition on what happened. some thing that stand out to me was his decision to engage in anal sex with the child as a means of avoiding getting her pregnant. it's absolutely vile what he did and i have zero sympathy for his plight. in addition, the age of consent, even in france in 1978 was 15. the age of consent in california has never been 13. please stop defending him and allow justice to run its course.

[Bill T]

Even if we set aside the moral debate of providing drugs and alcohol to 13 year olds, there is still the crime for which he admitted guilt: Voluntarily having sex with a drugged 13 year old. He was 44 at the time. We barely tolerated that kind of behavior from 16 year old boys, even in the 1970s! By age 44 he was presumed to have something above a 16 year old's judgment.

And another thing: what court would allow a person to flee the jurisdiction, and then drop the charges while they are still on the run? That would be an invitation to every accused to jump bail and stay on the run until the prosecution got too tired to keep looking.

[Ed]

'The district attorney's office wants Polanski extradited to face charges that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 1977."

This is not corrected he plea guilty to rape of a 13 year old girl he fled before sentencing. The district attorney's office wants Polanski extradited to face sentencing for a crime he said he did. The only way he has remain free is because of his Fame and his money. Also because France has shielded him because he is a French citizen and they don't care if someone has committed even a murder they will not extradite a french citizen to the US.

As far as there out rage of the arrest they should think about how they would fell if it was there 13 year old child that was raped.

[Yoga]

Polanski's lawyers' comments are a bit disingenous.

"The district attorney’s office, in the 30 years since Mr. Polanski left the jurisdiction, has not once sought to have him extradited. If it had, there would have been a hearing regarding misconduct in this case,” wrote the attorneys, Chad Hummel, Douglas Dalton and Bart Dalton, in a July 7 filing.

Maybe if he hadn't run or had returned of his own volition there could have been just the hearing his attorneys imply they want.

[cam]

Are people stupid? Yes they are. Commit a crime, flee for an extended period of time and avoid capture. Then get caught and the law should just forget about it. Is that what the stupid people are saying, really come on stupid people of america and stupid frenchy, get a clue. A crime 30 years ago is till a crime today. Sex with a minor is still sex with a minor whether the minor consented or not.

[M. Ross]

What the Euro-elite argue, without the slightest trace of irony, is that there should be a special set of laws for Mr. Polanski than for the rest of us. If his name were Roman Smith, these same breast-beating apologists would instead be giving accolades to the American justice system for prosecuting this "Cold case" against a child molester. And the weight given the statement of forgiveness by his victim, now in middle age, should be weighed against her answer to the question of how she would like it if her own thirteen-year old were sexually assaulted by a 46-year old. Now if we could just get the Los Angeles District Attorney Cooley off of his ass regarding Cardinal Mahony's coverup of his sexual predator priests.

[Rosee]

Mr. Polanski was a fugitive and he must be made to come back to Los Angeles and face our judicial system...as he should have 30+ years ago!

The Swiss should not give him the option of bail as he has already proven that he IS a flight risk.

It is disgusting that France and Poland put forth their political weight for this fugitive!

Just because he is an award winning director it makes no difference to Lady Justice...he was touch enough to do the crime...now do the time.

[Evin Daly]

He was found guilty of the criminal charge of having sex with a 13 year old. He ran from sentencing. How should he be treated other than as a criminal?

[Jo Ellis]

I am English. And I am heartily glad Mr Polanski has been taken into custody.

I've read the testimony He "groomed" this girl over a few days. Being so nice and taking photos. Then finally he drugged her and raped her - a 13 year old girl - both anally and vaginally. He planned it He is despicable and I don't care who he is, he needs to be held accountable. I don't care if it happened years ago either. I don't care if the victim has said leave it be. I care that justice is served.

Just want to make it clear that not everyone in Europe is on his "side". Far from it. I've not come across anyone who feels he doesn't deserve all he gets. The only ones who show any sign of sympathy are they film buff types who don't want to see their art house movie hero slated. Well they can shove their sentiment quite frankly. The man may be a brilliant director but he is also a child molester and pervert and needs to be held accountable.

[banjobailey]

All this proves is that someone in Los Angeles wants to be re-elected or elected. It IS all political. Period. And, what "criminal" indictments and arrests are NOT???? Oh, yeah, outright murders, kidnappings, robberies and all crimes commited by ordinary people.
Beyond that, nothing, nothing, nothing. I am guessing that those of you who are so outraged by his crime, although his victim no longer is, are the same people who think it is just dandy that the government of the United States commited all kinds of crimes against mankind and international and domestic law during the Bush years of governance. You are likely the first ones to support torture of anyone and everyone who is captured.
Well, of course, you must keep up a facade of "morality" and cry to the skies about all the children who are being victimized....but, that doesn't include foreigner children does it? Or, any other children who are not in your own political interest to protect.
The "child" Polanski violated has long ago come to grips with what happened to her. If we don't, it only means that we some kind of political axe to grind.

[DickNasty1]

He most definitely should be brought back for drugging and raping a 13 year old girl. Who cares what Europeans think about us or our judicial system. There is a reason we have laws in our society and he broke one that most people would find repulsive, of course not in Europe where this kind of thing happens every day and nobody blinks an eye over it.

[DickNasty1]

Also, the French Government have asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to step in and stop the process. She better not do anything to stop the justice system and any Hollywood actors or studio executives who support Polanski especially Debra Winger who read a statement about this case should be dropped

[Skipperjack]

What do we know of this 13 year old girl? She was given an undisclosed amount of money and she just about begs for no prosecution and says she forgives him over and over - makes you wonder doesn't it? Maybe it wasn't rape afterall? I would feel guilty if I put someone in prison who did not really wrong me and I got millions in hush funds. Possible.

[Helmut]

For sure this arrest will not add to the popularity of the US in Europe. We haven't forgotten that it was the American greedy bankiers who almost ruined the world. Now you are trying to make the news with a case nobody really cares about, including the victim. Polanski certainly made a mistake but he punished himself not being able to enter US for such long time.

[Gyre]

Roman ought to sue his waaahbulance chasers for malpractice. They didn't have to say anything but probably thought it was a good way to dial in some more billable hours. Nice to see that the likely result of their ill-timed argument was blow-back on the client.

[rb]

Polanski's arrest going to the Swiss film awards was more "ironic" than sinister

[Peter McDonald]

Sound like Robert Harris is in support of allowing a known rapist to resume his lifestyle as if nothing happen.

Burn in hell the two of you.

Peter McDonald
Los Angeles

[Glen Fleetwood]

a (then) 44 year old man having sex with a thirteen year old girl. He belongs in prison, even though he has bought off the witness. Go get 'em Cooley!

[bob]

"Here's a story about a sex offender who admittedly had sex with a 13 year old girl, and the comments section starts with:
"If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate."

Now, THAT's ironic."

it's not ironic it's just coincidental.

[Lynn Hanley]

The arrest of Polanski is just hurting America's already damaged reputation around the world and its way too late for justice to be done in this case. We've gotta' let some things go. Its ludicrous to think we have endless resources to make everything right. Sometimes when we try to fix things we break them even further. This is one of those cases. I don't care about Polanski, I care about American's bizarre, perhaps arrogant, belief that we can or should try to fix everything, as if we had unlimited resources. We DO NOT.

[Jeffrey Story]

The shock, the outrage! Someone I'VE HEARD OF ARRESTED! We must start a defense fund immediately! OJ, Chris B, Phil Specter, Baretta? Anyone... can you spare a Robert Shapiro?

Maybe a "We are the world" thing, if only John Phillips were still around, a duet with Mackenzie seems àpropo..

Where have all the flowers gone?

Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?

When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

[Vera]

Funny how Poland recently approved chemical castration upon the release of pedophiles from prison while at the very same time defending the very arrest of Polanski who has been convicted, although in the united states, of a very similar crime.

[Lizzie]

I wonder if Hilary Clinton -- who has pledged to make her State Department tenure about protecting girls and women -- was more willing than her predecessors to use use diplomatic channels to ask Switzerland for extradition. If so, bravo. Child rape isn't okay, not even for famous people.

[CHAD-R]

People, this isn't about Polanski, it's about a crooked judge that ruined countless people's lives because of his ego.

If Polanski was to be treated like everyone else (as people say here) then he should have gotten probation like everyone else did in in 1978. Instead, this judge threw himself a press conference (totally unprecedented) to brag about how was sending Polanski to jail "for life."

That LA is creating an international incident over this long-gone judicial error is an huge embarrassment and a total waste of our tax dollars.

[Bon Jovi]

I guess in france, if you are an "artist" you are allowed to rape and sodomize children.

[roman a clef]

Why do you keep incorrectly saying the D.A. wants Polanski to face charges of sexual assault? He already pleaded guilty in the case and only faces sentencing.

[Paul]

Anyone who has a daughter that was raped at such a young age would want the rapist brought to justice no matter how long it takes.

[theidahokid]

Ya gott'a love lawyers aka da mouth piece, of course they are trying to defend a sleeze ball child rapist. Ya gott'a be careful of what you ask for you just might get it...

[K-Cat]

Does no one here read the facts of the case before demanding vengeance?

The facts, the victim, the prosecutor, the shrinks, the corrections board and everyone involved wanted probation. Everyone but a single judge who was found to be guilty of serious impropriety with this case.

If we don't have the money for basic justice today, why are we pursuing what should've been a probation sentence from 1977???

[Andre]

America is such a bastion of hippocrites. Half of the moralists here calling for his head have probably engaged in similar or worse behavior in some sphere in their life.

Having said that Polanski needs to face the music, and the district attorney needs to impose on him a token sentence, like a six month prison sentence.

Heavy handed justice here will not go unnoticed or unreciprocated.

[thealaskan]

Gosh if he had only done the man thing and made it legal in Burkina Faso, or waited a year until she was 14 and got hooked up in Lithuania or Lichtenstein.

Naw, he's a ferris wheel type of groper who thinks nothing of flashing his passport at the airport instead of driving.

Too bad he allowed his mouthpieces to use the "yahh yahh you can't catch me" defense.

He'd still be cruising for his next conquest.

[Mr. Matt]

The mom pimped her own 13 old daughter for her own sick selfish Hollywood interests. Every name some of you attach to Polanski also applies to the mother of the 13 year old girl.

[Nancy Greenn]

Well, it seems like Polanski's lawyers served him as well as Michael Jackson's doctors. He can't buy his way out of everything.
Salon had a very blunt post, that is off the front page now. I write about it, with links, here--

http://kmareka.com/2009/09/28/fangirl-and-fanboy/

[Roger]

I'm not surprised after all that guy was one of the most ruthless individuals in the world. He made the joker seem like an angel..

You say batman I saw Vawncast

[Silverlake Mike]

This is probably true. The defense lawyers probably thought they were making a great argument and never thought about the practical consequences of their argument. I can easily see the prosecutors viewing the defense argument as a challenge. You wave a red flag in front of the bull, you're going to get the horns. Another example of attorneys being more clever than smart.