Observer-Reporter forum

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

If you don't know the story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/28/zurich.roman.polanski.arrested/index.html

The background: Polanski has sex with a girl who is 13 and is arrested for the crime. The different versions of the story range from him drugging and seducing the girl to the girl looking like she's 25 and seducing him. He pleads guilty and also settles with the family. However, he's sentenced to something like 40 years in the criminal trial for many reasons, some of which allegedly political. He flees the country and lives in France to avoid extradition. This is 40 years ago.

The present: Polanski has been fighting the court case via proxy for decades. The victim, herself now in her 40's, does not hold it against him and in fact has asked the courts repeatedly to drop the case as she considers it nothing more than a "legal nicety." Polanski is finally arrested when he goes to Switzerland for a film festival and is being brought back to the US to face charges.

The person: Polanski is a renowned filmmaker know for such works as Chinatown, The Pianist, and Rosemary's Baby. His wife was Sharon Tate, one of the victims of the Manson murders; she was pregnant when they killed her.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Sorry, meant to conclude by simply asking what everyone's thoughts were on the situation.
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Brant · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:50 am Post subject:

I think they ought to drag his azz back and sentence him to what he deserves.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

I guess I'm torn. His sentence was far beyond the standard for statutory rape which is why he ran even though he plead guilty. The girl at the time of the case said she didn't feel victimized and it was consensual and multiple witnesses claimed they had no idea she was so young. The question arises: why was she at the night club with a bunch of adults to begin with? Ultimately, Polanski should have paid for his crime, but with the victim now saying the charges should be dropped, is there really a reason to continue with this after all these years? At what point are the taxpayer dollars that fund the case worth more than seeking justice for an ages old crime when the victim herself doesn't care?
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freethinker · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:40 am Post subject:

Here is another fine example of what happens
when idiots collide.....Junk all over the highway,
and two proud chests posturing for position....
Without a "victim" there is no crime, only insult.
Polanski insulted our judicial system, then like
the idiot he is, stuck himself in France...good
riddance to bad rubbish....
But like Javert in Les Mis, some over-inflated
understudy in the attorney general's office decided
this was a crime against all of humanity....
In a few days this wreckage will be swept from the
highway and we can move forward...
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

A bit cynical, but accurate in my opinion. At the end of the day, its a question of does this really matter anymore?
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Brant · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:46 am Post subject:

There is no such thing as consensual sex with a drugged 13-year-old. He is a fugitive from justice and has lived very comfortably in Europe while thumbing his nose at the American justice system.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Eh...a 13 year old may not be able to consent to sex but can a 42 year old not look back and claim that the crime is of little or no importance to her? It seems like a waste of money and effort to pursue it at this point. He should have gone to jail for the amount of time related to the crime. In California now, statutory rape carries a maximum sentence of 4 years. The judge sentenced him to 50 years. I'm not surprised that he ran.
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SSSS · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:59 am Post subject:

I agree with brant. While the no victim-no crime rule would apply here, there is another crime-fleeing to avoid prosecution-that makes society the victim.
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

This case has obviously come to define a certain district attorney's or detective's career. They still have a hard on for this case because its high profile. Much worse is tossed aside in our courthouses on a daily basis because of bulky caseloads and underfunding.

Having sex with a 13 year old should have a horrible punishment. Society has come a long way in preventing young girls from being in a club and putting others in this type of situation. As a chitfaced guy who has scanned the bar for a peice of A to bring home at closing time... I empathize. (though I'm not read up on exactly what happened here).

Also, this woman, who is 40 now, may say that she forgives him. But there is undoubtedly psychological damage that has effected every relationship she's ever had.

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

So put him in jail for 4 years for the rape and tack on a few for running.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

I think I'm w/ you Cylinser. Four years plus a few for running. Probably end up letting him out in three for good behavior. Serve the balance on house arrest.

40+ is overboard... in this particular case.

SSSS · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

I think it is very unlikely that the detective on this case is still on the job.
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

You're right, and the DA has no doubt been replaced a few times over. I was kind of thinking the group involved when typing it. Whoever had the case passed down to them. Its come to define the entire justice system from that era.