In the summer of 1977 I got a magazine assignment to cover the trial of Roman Polanski. My daughter Holly was then thirteen—the same age as the girl Polanski was accused of seducing (I didn't know yet it was actually rape)—and Holly had decided to come to Santa Monica with me, sit in the front row of the courtroom, and just stare at Polanski.
She also planned to write an article about the trial from her point of view. However, Polanski pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, and fled the country on the day he was supposed to be sentenced.
I told Holly, “I'm gonna write about the trial anyway.”
“How can you do that?”
“I'll just make it up as if it actually occurred. Roman Polanski's defense will be that the statutory rape laws are unconstitutional because they discriminate against kids.”
“How would you feel if the kid was me?”
“Well, I'm a liberal father, but . . . you're right. I'm not gonna write the article.”
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Where do you draw the line?
Surely you draw it somewhere? Thirteen? Twelve? Eleven? Seven? Five? Two?
I'm not trying to be a smartass.........this is a legitimate question.
Apart from that, Polanski did his time for unlawful sex with a minor and was released early on the recommendation of impartial probation officers. He only fled the US after the judge had unlawfully reneged on that plea bargain, which was struck to avoid a trial, and wanted to sentence him again. The arrest warrant could only be served because he had sentenced Polanski in absentia before he was removed from the case by both parties' attorneys for his illegal conduct. He committed serious abuse of his powers, no wonder Polanski fled even the plaintiff's attorney didn't find surprising.
IF a 13 year old girl has sex with an adult male irrespective of age, why is she considered unable to make a decision about having sex?............
BUT
IF the same 13 year old kills another human being then the courts say she is an adult and should be tried as an adult because she knew what she was doing.
So what is up with having no ability to have sex consentingly but having the ability to kill is knowing what you are doing????
Why isn't it you are either a minor for everything or you are not?
There should be a standard age for all this stuff across the country. The DA shouldn't have the chance to change the rules just because the sensationalism of trying a child for a violent crime might get him more votes in the next election.
Point # 2. Sex with an underaged child is statutory rape.
Point # 3. ..... Well, actually, there is no #3 because there is nothing more to discuss.
http://www.wisegeek.com/at-what-age-is-someone-considered-an-adult-in-the-world.htm
And adults should not have sex with thirteen year olds.
You might not agree with my second statement, but it is quite consistent.
He knew or should have known that the doctors who examined the girl came up with results which undermine her story. There was no sign of force, no indication of anal sex, nor vaginal sex. Had she been properly prepped for the Grand Jury testimony, she would have avoided references to any accusation that couldn't be backed up by the medical examination.
Now, all that is on the record, subject to her cross examination.
The only option I see for the prosecution is for her to admit on the witness stand she made some of this up. Will she go for it? She's currently a reluctant witness who realizes her story doesn't hang well right now.
We now have a he-said, she-wished-she-hadn't-said situation.
Funny how so many people say he should be allowed back in the US to make movies. Does anyone think he will not be permanently deported after his sentencing? Why would someone of his moral depravity, who is not a us citizen, be allowed to stay in the US? Polanski, stay out and good riddance.
But, what if she had said "yes"? What if there were no alcohol or drugs involved and she said "yes"? What if she wanted to have sex with Polanski? Here's a girl who stated that she had intercourse prior to being involved with Polanski (presumably with her boy friend).
Someone please explain to me how a 13 year old girl is mature enough to decide to have sex with a boy her own age but not mature enough to have sex with a 45 year old man. How is sex with a 14 or 15 year old boy different than sex with a 45 year old man?