Polanski Detained by Swiss Authorities

[KSigkid]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090927/...rland_polanski

Wow...I never thought this would happen.

[knight_shadow]

Ditto. And I'm sure it was awkward, with the Susan Atkins thing.

[Benzgirl]

Interesting timing?

[Munchkin03]

This is so weird. Not only has he traveled in and out of Zurich without any trouble, he owns a house in Gstaad. Why would they decide to extradite him now?

Earlier this year, I watched "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which is about the prosecution and the misconduct that went on there and it made me think about this whole thing in a different light. Not that I think plying a 13 year-old with Quaaludes and having anal sex with her is okay in any regard, the judge was trying to make an "example" out of him.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

This is so weird. Not only has he traveled in and out of Zurich without any trouble, he owns a house in Gstaad. Why would they decide to extradite him now?

Earlier this year, I watched "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which is about the prosecution and the misconduct that went on there and it made me think about this whole thing in a different light. Not that I think plying a 13 year-old with Quaaludes and having anal sex with her is okay in any regard, the judge was trying to make an "example" out of him.

and instead he because a kind of different example of how some people avoid the (most of the) legal consequences of their actions, at least for a very long time.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

This is so weird. Not only has he traveled in and out of Zurich without any trouble, he owns a house in Gstaad. Why would they decide to extradite him now?

Earlier this year, I watched "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which is about the prosecution and the misconduct that went on there and it made me think about this whole thing in a different light. Not that I think plying a 13 year-old with Quaaludes and having anal sex with her is okay in any regard, the judge was trying to make an "example" out of him.

Well, plus there are the questions about the judge offering a plea deal, then withdrawing that offer after Polanski fulfilled the terms (a 45 day observation). It's an interesting case.

The timing is odd, especially since he's spent so much time in the area. Why now?

[CutiePie2000]

Better late than never, I say.

[UGAalum94]

Maybe there's new expectation of clemency that made enforcing the arrest warrant more palatable?

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

This is so weird. Not only has he traveled in and out of Zurich without any trouble, he owns a house in Gstaad. Why would they decide to extradite him now?

Earlier this year, I watched "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which is about the prosecution and the misconduct that went on there and it made me think about this whole thing in a different light. Not that I think plying a 13 year-old with Quaaludes and having anal sex with her is okay in any regard, the judge was trying to make an "example" out of him.

I don't see the Swiss doing anything unless the United States federal government requested it. I'm surprised that this happened now and not in the past.

[srmom]

I am curious for those legal minds on GC - where would "statute of limitation" laws come in play? I thought that only murder had no limit. Does rape, or child molestation have no statute of limitation? Is this a state by state thing, or is it federal law?

Also, if the victim does not want to testify, then won't it be difficult to get a conviction? or, has he plead guilty and is just evading sentencing?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by srmom

I am curious for those legal minds on GC - where would "statute of limitation" laws come in play? I thought that only murder had no limit. Does rape, or child molestation have no statute of limitation? Is this a state by state thing, or is it federal law?

Also, if the victim does not want to testify, then won't it be difficult to get a conviction? or, has he plead guilty and is just evading sentencing?

I'm pretty sure he's already been convicted, so all of this is moot.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by srmom

I am curious for those legal minds on GC - where would "statute of limitation" laws come in play? I thought that only murder had no limit. Does rape, or child molestation have no statute of limitation? Is this a state by state thing, or is it federal law?

Also, if the victim does not want to testify, then won't it be difficult to get a conviction? or, has he plead guilty and is just evading sentencing?

He pled guilty, served time in psychiatric evaluation, and was released.

ETA: It looks like we posted our responses at the same time. The whole thing is just weird to me.

The victim also says that her mother gets dragged through the mud every time the case is mentioned. That must suck as well.

[srmom]

Right - just read this -

He pled guilty; prosecutors offered a deal; he took it; but on the eve of its execution in the courtroom the judge in the case signaled he would not abide by it, to the distress of prosecution and defense alike

I didn't realize he took off AFTER pleading guilty, before sentencing.

[AOII Angel]

I heard on NPR today that he was arrested this time in Zurich because the DA in California heard that he was going to be in Zurich to accept an award that was being widely publicized. They said that they had issued paperwork for warrants before but Polanski wouldn't show up after all. This time, everything just worked out. He showed up at the airport, and they were waiting for him! About time! He deserves to pay for the crime of drugging a child and raping her.

[agzg]

I don't like the idea of letting someone off who ran away to avoid sentencing. Isn't there some sort of extra punishment for that?