Roman Polanski Case: HuffPost Bloggers Weigh In

HuffPost blogger reactions to the arrest of acclaimed film director Roman Polanski have covered the gamut. Scroll down to see the variety of perspectives in what is surely one of the most controversial cases of its kind.

Comments

[punditmom]

I refuse to believe that law enforcement couldn't track down a high profile person like Polanski for THREE DECADES! Yes, he should be extradited, but I think we also have to ask -- why now? Someone is trying to make a career on this, rather than truly serve justice. If that's what the justice system was really after, they could have found Polanski a LONG time ago.

http://www.punditmom.com

[sophocles jr]

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he pleaded guilty and served his time in jail; after he was released -- fearing that the judge would sentence him to *indefinite* confinement for evaluation -- he fled the jurisdiction

not you, nor anyone -- would show up in a courtroom where the judge could sentence you to indefinite confinement for evaluation (after you served your time according the plea deal) -- regardless of the underlying charge you continue to ignore the fact that he served his time in jail after pleading guilty;

if you think the plea bargain was too lenient regarding the initial offenses: your complaint is with the district attorney's office 32 years ago -- not with polanski, now; polanski's crime, at this point, is: fleeing the jurisdiction, fearing that he would be sentenced to indefinite confinement for evaluation -- after he already served his complete sentence for the underlying offenses

if you steal a piece of bubble gum, and make a plea deal with the da, and get credit for time served: and, THEN flee the jurisdiction, and you are arrested 32 years later: I agree: you are guilty -- but, you have already served your time for the underlying offenses

if you want to fight child abuse, fine; but, complain to the da's office for giving him a lenient sentence 32 years ago; polanski already served his time for the underlying offenses

the only remaining legal issue in this case is

[tonylurker]

Wow, what a completely innacurate description.

He plead guilty and, as part of said plea, agreed to a 90 day psyc. evaluation prior to sentencing. Polanski knew full well that the judge was not bound to the reccomended sentence included with the plea. After 48? days, he was released and the eval was sent to the judge. Prior to sentencing, the Judge indicated that he was inclined to sentence him to the extremely light sentence of an additional 42 days (to make it a full 90 days of eval + punishment). Polanski then fled.

He has never been sentenced. He never served his time. Amusingly, the time he will probably spend in the Swiss jail cell fighting his extradition will probably exceed the time he would have spent in the Cal prison had he not fled. (I think the max. sentence he could have received is 20 months.)

[meede]

Everyone thinks this case has been sitting on the shelf since 1977. Not true.

The victim's civil suit for which she received an undisclosed settlement was only settled after her 2003 interview wherein she stated that It's not too late for justice to be served. After that settlement, we now get the 'I forgive him'. Can we say -- her support was Bought.

Polanski's lawyers appeared in Court just last year, wherein the Judge requested that Polanski appear to speak to the matter. Polanski was not there, did not respond to the judge's request. Quite simply, he ignored the judge.

For Polanski to cry the crocodile tears now - here's a quarter, call someone who cares. He hasn't disclosed all the truth to his Hollywood buddies.

Lock him up Dano!!

[meede]

I care not about his talent that his supporters speak of. I have talent for what I do. Get over it. Talent doesn't trump his actions. Pull your head out of your a $s.

This case has been active since 1977. All these writings are misleading as they've neglected much information. Firstly, the civil case for which the victim was compensated, was only settled after 2003, Strange it took that many years from 1977 to bring a civil suit and now forgives Polanski. In an interview in 2003, she did not express forgiveness but stated 'it's never too late for justice to be served'. Funny how she 'forgives' now that $ exchanged hands. Call it what it is -- her support was bought. She also participated in the documentary on this story which aired last year -- that too would have been a payment. She's blaming the media for the attention.

There was also a Court case last year, where Polanski's lawyers appeared but he did not. The Judge asked that he appear to speak to the matter for the case to proceed. Polanski ignored and did not respond to the Judge. It is also a fact that the documentary came out last year which fluffed over the seriousness of the case but focused on the fact that Polanski suffered growing up -- here's a quarter, call someone who cares. He deserves to be in a US lock up.