Film Director Roman Polanski Held for Extradition

09/29/09

In 1978, Polanski served 42 days in jail after pleading guilty to one of six counts of statutory rape of 13 year-old Californian, Samantha Geimer. Polanski fled the country before he completed his sentence because he believed the judge would rescind his plea bargain, and he would have to return to prison. Over the years, Polanski has appealed to the U.S. court to dismiss the case but he would be required to return to the U.S. to appear in person in front of the judge. Polanski has never returned to the U.S. for fear that he would be arrested again.

Geimer is 45 years old now and feels that the 30 year statutory rape charge should be dismissed and stated that ''I have urged that this matter come to a formal legal end. I have urged that the district attorney and the court dismiss these charges.''

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According to Geimer, ''true as they may be, the continued publication of those details causes harm to me, my beloved husband, my three children and my mother. I have become a victim of the actions of the district attorney. My position is absolutely clear. Let us deal with the harm and continued harm that the pendency of this matter visits upon me and my family, and waive the legal niceties away and cause it to be dismissed.''

In addition, Geimer stated that ''my views as a victim, my feelings as a victim, or my desires as a victim were never considered or even inquired into by the district attorney prior to the filing. It is clear to me that because the district attorney's office has been accused of wrong-doing, it has recited the lurid details of the case to distract attention from the wrongful conduct of the district attorney's office, as well as the judge who was then assigned to the case.''

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After suing Polanski, Geimer received an undisclosed settlement.

According to Swiss authorities, Polanski, a French citizen, will not be released until ''the process is complete, including a possible appeal by Polanski in Swiss courts.''

Polanski was married to actress Sharon Tate who was murdered along with four others in 1969 by cult followers of Charles Mansion. Polanski's directorial works include Rosemary's Baby (1968), Chinatown (1974), Tess (1979) and the Oscar winning film, The Pianist (2002), and he has been nominated for 11 Academy Awards.