Polanski -- I'm Confused

Given Roman Polanski's history as a persecuted Jew during the Holocaust, I can understand his panicking, skipping bail and fleeing the United States. What I don't understand is why, once he got his wits about him, he didn't return and face the music. How could he live with himself? And the world with him?

 

 

Comments

[Tallulah Morehead - Huffpost Blogger]

"How could he live with himself?"

Ah, well he forgave himself, and decided to show himself leniency. But to show penance, he marred a beautiful woman and lived in luxury in Paris. 40 years of living amongst the French? Surely he's suffered enough.

After all, he only drugged and raped a child. Forget it, Jake, it's Paristown.

[Algrokos]

I am a bit torn on this one. Certainly Polanski was being treated unfairly strictly speaking of what happened in the courtroom. The prosecution and defense agreed to a plea deal that would release Polanski for time served (just over a month). The judge unilaterally decided to increase the sentence and mandate that Polanski be deported afterwards. That is not how the system should work. On the other hand, spending barely more than a month in jail for having sex with a 13 year old? That is not justice served. At this point, I would have thought the US would just be satisfied to keep Polanski out of the country. Even though what he did was disgusting and inexcusible, why are we going after him after more than 30 years?

[S1m0n]

Plea bargains with sentences like this get made because the prosecution thinks that the defendant has a high chance of being acquitted if they fight the charge, so getting a plea with a short sentence is better than nothing. This is usually because of some weakness in the evidence.

[helipilot]

I agree. If he stays in self-imposed exile, it's as good as a life sentence in prison as far as I'm concerned, and as a taxpaying citizen, he's not being a burden on me or the State of California. California is broke and Gov. Schwarzenegger is looking for ways of releasing thousands of non-violent offenders from state prisons to save money. We don't need the added baggage of Polanski.

In times past, some societies that abhorred execution would instead exile transgressors. That works for me in this case.

[Floot]

How is that "as good as a life sentence"??! He is living in France, you know, not prison... there's quite a difference.

[lanrameau]

Read the story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/28/movies/28polanski.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=polanski&st=cse

He served 6 weeks in prison and the judge may have wanted to have him serve more. He indeed knows what Nazis look like.

[Tallulah Morehead - Huffpost Blogger]

Well OF COURSE "the judge may have wanted to have him serve more" 6 weeks is not an adequate sentence for drugging and raping a child.

[nee]

And don't forget he also sodomized her Tallulah.