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French Slightly Backpedal On Roman Polanski Defense
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2009
Modified Sep 30, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2009
Modified Sep 30, 2009
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After the French Foreign Minister denounced the Swiss arrest—by way of U.S. arrest warrant for the 1977 rape of a 13-year-old— of filmmaker Roman Polanski by saying, "In the same way that there is a generous America that we like, there is also a scary America that has just shown its face," now the French government has offered a more measured view. According to Arts Beat, a French government spokesman said, "Roman Polanski is neither above or below the law... We have a judicial proceeding underway that is a serious affair, the rape of a minor, for which the American and Swiss justice systems are carrying on their work."
The filmmakers and movie stars, such as Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and others, who have supported Polanski's release are getting worked over by the press. LA Times columnist Steve Lopez went to the LA County DA's office to revisit the harrowing testimony of Polanski's victim (she said at the time that she didn't resist him that much "Because I was afraid of him"; she was also given Quaaludes and champagne) and says, "I'd like to show all these great luminaries the testimony from Polanski's underage victim, as well as Polanski's admission of guilt. Then I'd like to ask whether, if the victim were their daughter, they'd be so cavalier about a crime that was originally charged as sodomy and rape before Polanski agreed to a plea bargain. Would they still support Polanski's wish to remain on the lam living the life of a king, despite the fact that he skipped the U.S. in 1977 before he was sentenced?" Still, the sister of Sharon Tate, Polanski wife slain by Charles Manson, believes that sex between the child and Polanski was consensual.
The NY Times has an editorial supporting Polanski's arrest and (possible eventual) extradition to the U.S., "Yet where is the injustice in bringing to justice someone who pleads guilty to statutory rape and then goes on the lam, no matter how talented he may be? ... It is about an adult preying on a child. Mr. Polanski pleaded guilty to that crime and must account for it."
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arrest warrant
extradition
rape charge
Roman Polanski
switzerland
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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