I want to take out from by busy school schedule, which found me behind various books all weekend. A news item caught my eye today that touches on all three principles entitled in this blog.
Roman Polanski, who must be acknowledged as one of the greatest filmmakers ever to live, was arrested today in Zurich. The charge against him is 32-years-old. He is charged with drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl, a crime to which he offered a full confession.
Child rape is not in the title of this blog, but truth is. For some disgusting truths on a legal proceeding's total corruption, I recommend the documentary film Wanted and Desired. I won't try to produce the details here, but suffice to say, Polanski fled not to avoid prosecution, but to escape from a justice system that had gone completely off the rails. The girl (now an adult woman) in this case has come forward and voiced concerns over the case; she appears in Wanted and Desired. Is it therefore reasonable that he should be arrested 32 years later? Is that considered the exaction of justice?
This pisses me off so much. I almost hope that he is extradited back to LA; at least I hope that people will get really pissed off if this happens. Watch the documentary, its really interesting in its own right.
Back to the books.
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ReplyDeletePeople forget he was tried, convicted, and served his COURT ORDERED time for this crime. Everyone is entitled to pass moral judgment on the man. But this case, 32 years later, has less to do with morality than the total collapse of a fair and just trial.
The actions of the judge, Laurence J. Rittenband, are a disgrace. But I do agree with you Ben. I think he should come back to LA. It's the only way to clear his name and let truth ring.
SOME BACKSTORY:
Polanski was initially charged with rape by use of drugs, perversion, sodomy, lewd and lascivious act upon a child under 14, and furnishing a controlled substance (methaqualone) to a minor. These charges were dismissed under the terms of his plea bargain, and he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of engaging in unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, according to the documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, the court ordered Polanski to report to a state prison for a 90-day psychiatric evaluation, but granted a stay of ninety days to allow him to complete his current project. Under the terms set by the court, he was permitted to travel abroad. Polanski returned to California and reported to Chino State Prison for the evaluation period, and was released after 42 days.
All parties expected Polanski to get only probation at the subsequent sentencing hearing, but after an alleged conversation with LA Deputy District Attorney David Wells, the judge "suggested to Polanski's attorneys that he would send the director to prison and order him deported". In response to the threat of imprisonment, Polanski fled the United States.