The Associated Press reported today that critically acclaimed film director Roman Polanski filed a request today to dismiss the charge of unlawful sex with a minor he received 30 years ago. E! Online reports that the request claims 'that there was "misconduct and improper communications' between the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and the Superior Court."
The AP story reports that the motion came as a response to an HBO documentary, "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which depicted the Superior Court Judge who was in charge of Polanski's case as a 'publicity hound' who acted improperly.
In 1977 Polanski was accused of drugging and raping Samantha Gailey, a 13-year-old girl he had asked to model for a photo shoot. Polanski eventually pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sex with a minor in 1978. But before sentencing was passed, Polanski fled to France, fearing that the judge would not hold to an agreement that Polanski not go to jail, according to the E! Online story.
Since 1978, Polanski has avoided setting foot in the U.S. or any county that might extradite him, for fear of arrest. In spite of the notoriety, he has still maintained a successful career as a director, even winning the Academy Award for Best Director in 2002 for his film "The Pianist."
According to the AP story, Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley, said Cooley's office has not received the motion yet. The AP story quoted her saying, "We're looking forward to seeing Mr. Polanski in Los Angeles to litigate it."
Links:
http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=341987
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.eonline.com/71369-
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html (has a transcript of Gailey's 1977 testimony against Polanski)
No comments:
Post a Comment