Polanski has been arrested in Switzerland is now coming back to face charges of child molestation - at 76 years old. The girl in question has many times requested that all charges be dropped.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/sep/27...zerland-custody

this will be interesting to follow.

To me the whole Polanski thing was always over rated, I really think that you have to leave some and take some. We don’t know what really happened. I am not defending him but I sure think that Polanski’s had a hell of a life.

And is that her at Polanski's Premiere???

Looks like her!

I know she was just 13, but maybe she was a party girl and she lied about her age?

Will be interesting if she gives evidence, considering what she has said about it, and asked for it to be dropped!

WTF is up with forgiving pedophile celebrities, Jail this creep and while we are at it throw in Jimmy Page also!


"She recalled in a 2003 interview that she began to feel uncomfortable after he asked her to lie down on a bed, and how she attempted to resist. "I said, ‘No, no. I don’t want to go in there. No, I don’t want to do this. No!", and then I didn’t know what else to do,” she stated. Geimer testified that Polanski performed various sexual acts on her after giving her a combination of champagne and quaaludes."

Here's an interview with the victim, from about 6 years back, who now lives in Hawaii. I see no indication that she is in any mood to forgive anyone here. Quite the contrary. I wonder when and why she changed her mind.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2005/0...15875-15775812/

hhhhhmmmm the plot thickens!

It's going to take them several months to get Polanski over here, btw.

Yup, there's quite a bit more to this than most people realize. Apparently, there was a plea bargain, when he was tried in 1978, and then the plea bargain was reneged on, so Roman fled. The judge who tried the case is now dead - so that's going to complicate things.

Yeah I saw that on the news tonight.

Like I said, I'm not trying to defend him. There are always 2 sides to a story. If things were so simple we wouldn’t have rules and laws.

I agree Polanski should be brought to justice even after all these years.
She was just a 13 year old girl. Hardly a teenager. He was the adult here. He should have known better. Celebrity or not. That he got away with this terrible crime is heartbreaking for the girl(woman now). I know France and I believe Poland want him released on bail but I hope that wont happen and he gets transported to the US and will have to stand trial.
I just hope she will change her mind and release her statement to the court.
But they do have Polanski's own confession allready.

I do like a lot of Polanski's movie works. Like Rosemary's baby after the book of Ira Levin. But the man is a creep and violated a young child. And needs to spend his last years in jail.

He stood trial already in a matter of speaking. Had a plea arrangement all worked out and a now deceased judge reneged on the deal and wasn't going to honor it and make him do more jail time than had been agreed to. I don't blame him one bit for getting the fuck out of Dodge. I do think it was foolish for him to venture into Switzerland, as a nation they seemed to have an agenda to suck up to the USA lately. A "fugitive from justice" since 1978, his warrant has really only been active worldwide since 2005. This is all politics.

I do not of course condone his actions with the child,however he wouldn't be the first guy to accept a plea for something that didn't actually happen as described, in order to avoid the risk of exposure to losing a trial.


I imagine having to live in France is a far worse punishment than anything the US courts could have ever imposed. Anyway he's not comimg quietly anytime soon nor do I imagine ever will.

Funny fact- One of Manson's youngest follower Lynette Fromme dated Bill Siddons

I just can't see Roman Polanski as the victim here. I really can't.
I'm sure he suffered a lot of being in the spotlights with this case over all these years.
But I don't know.It doesn't do any justice to what he did ( what I believe he did, just my opinion) to the child.
She will suffer her whole life with this. She might forgive but never forget. Money is not going to take the memory away.

It's just disturbing to me that he got away with it for so long. And yes I know especially now there are a lot of politics involved. You're right Moses.
But I'm honest. I wouldn't give a damn if they nail the guy in California prison.

But yes I do admire him in his film work. No denying there.

The "child" speaks forcefully here.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/09/...t_long_ago.html

She does not want this matter re-examined and rehashed, because of the damage it will do to her, her family and her life. She says she was relieved when Polanski fled, because the press stopped calling and she was able to live her life without constantly hearing about it.

She made an official request in January to have the charges against Polanski dismissed. She has long gotten over it, and now it's all going to be thrown back in her face once more. People tend to forget there are two people involved in this, and if damage is going to be done to the victim, once again, by dragging this all back, I think her wishes need to be strongly considered. Roman is 76. How much time does he have left anyway?

This girl was encouraged in her relationship with Polanski by her mother, who didn't stand in the way whatsoever.

In some cultures, btw, girls are considered marriageable at 13.

Apparently Roman has always traveled extensively in Europe, and owns a house in Gstaadt, so obviously he's been to Switzerland many times since he left the U.S. for good. As you said, this stinks of politics. I'm sure the religious right here are getting their glasses all steamed up, ready for the kill. Let's make a 'zample!

Btw, Roman is originally from Europe, so I'd imagine France is no biggie for him. They love him there.

Yes, because at 13, the parents are still responsible for their children.



Not in America.

Jerry Lee Lewis legally married his 13 year old cousin in 1958. The individual States dictate the legal age for marriage. She had permission from her parents to do so. I believe it was under Louisiana law.

I'm not sure of the statutory age for marriage in all the other States, but with parental consent, it may still be legal in Louisiana at 13, and I think some States allow it at 15. Certainly 16 in most States.

Absolutely the "child" wishes should be considered.
I'm just giving my opinion here.
The mother encouraging the relationship is just wrong on all accounts.

Yes I know in some cultures marriage is forced on young girls but I hardly consider the US in that category.
Maybe in religious groups/cults. But that has nothing to do with this story.

If she wants all charges dropped that is what I think should happen.
For me it is you have indeed two people. An adult man and a 13 year old girl.
Roman to me is no victim. My opinion.

He should have kept his hands to himself. You just don't violate a child like that. It's hard for me to have sympathy for him on that situation.

You've got to be kidding me? Is this still possible even now?

I knew about the Jerry Lewis thing but I guess I've forgotten that she was only 13.

Wow that's just wrong, at 13 you can't make theses kind of decisions nor can your parents. because you're just Thirteen.

Kids are having sex and doing drugs at 12 and younger these days.

And if your parents are allowed to permit you to marry at 13, then it's not the parents or the child that's at fault, it's the law.

When Jerry Lee came to England to perform in 1958, dragging the child-bride with him, he was less than politely told to get back on the plane. I guess the UK still has standards!

America is somewhat hypocritical when it comes to these matters, that's all I have to say. Either way, I doubt Roman will ever come back here, notwithstanding the grandstanding by Steve Cooley, the DA. Consider the case of hippie activist Ira Einhorn who killed his wife and fled to France. It took YEEEEAAAARRRS for him to be extradited. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Einhorn I don't know what the legal situation would be if Roman was bailed in Switzerland and then fled for France again. Right now, it looks as they will bail him out and, unless he's put under house arrest (for what?) in Switzerland, what's to stop him getting in a car and driving back to France?

But as a parent, you're responsible for your child, I know it’s the law but you make the decisions for this small human being. I don't have kids (yet) but I can't see myself giving permission to my 13th year old child to get married.

Roman Polanski has served his time at Chino state for this crime,he has in many ways been serving the sentence his whole life.After the judge in Los Angeles re nigged on his original sentence Roman fled out of a real fear that came from very deep inside. Born to Polish Jews during the Nazi era his small frame allowed him freedom around the walls of Krakow and the other ghetto's of Poland,his parents were sent to a concentration camp and his mother was exterminated.
Polanski's escape from the Nazi's is nothing short of a miracle and shows how clever a man he is,later in life his wife Sharon Tate was murdered by the Manson family and his 8 month old baby was ripped from his wifes womb and stabbed to death.You think you had some bad days?
The film community was robbed of a master filmaker although he managed to keep making films outside of america,The liitle kid squeezing thru the wall in the opening of "The Pianist"is Roman Polanski,a complex and multi talented man and above all a surviver.
As a footnote I'll say it's ironic that it's Switzerland that grabbed him,after all as a neutral country they took the Nazi gold and washed it so the Germans could make more ammo,they took all the art and stored it for Hitler,they kept the money of dead jews from concentration camps,Roman will do just fine he's been doing time his entire life.
Tim Silano 9/28/2009

Jerry Lee Lewis,not Jerry Lewis.

Agreed.

I can't understand a law that allows such a thing, but apparently the State of Louisiana thought nothing of it. According to this information here, you can still be married at a young age, i.e. 15 or under, with court and parental permission, in most of the United States. http://www.coolnurse.com/marriage_laws.htm

New Hampshire, for example:

"A female between the age of 13 and 17 years and a male between the age of 14 and 17 years can be married only with the permission of their parent (guardian) and a waiver. A female below the age of 13 and a male below the age of 14 are not allowed to marry under any conditions. If both parties are nonresidents of NH and are below the age of 18 they cannot be married in NH under any conditions."

As for what Tim said about Roman, I concur. They're starting to change their tune a bit here in L.A., now. The judge who is now appointed to the Polanski matter has noted that he feels there was serious judicial error in Roman's first conviction, but he has to return to LA to have things regulated.

Yes, the Swiss are a nasty little lot. Bugger all the cuckoo clocks and chocolate, they were Nazi collaborators.

I just hope Polansky can survive the courts,he's 76 years old or so,fear dominates many parts of his life,thats why being in control on the set of a movie is easy for him,everything around him goes to shambles but he recreates life on a set w/ a child like imagination.I hope people like Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty get involved in this and support him.I wonder if the state would have eventually went after Jim Morrison to bring him down for having sex w/ a minor,or underaged woman?

It looks as if the movie community is behind him at the moment. Debra Winger made a public demand for his release at the Zurich Festival yesterday.

Jmo, but I don't think Roman will see the inside of any courts any time soon. More than likely never.

As far as Jim, I don't think he would knowingly have had sex with a girl of that age. He knew what jail-bait was. Besides, he had plenty of women of a consenting age throwing themselves at him!

I'm in favor of Polanski coming back to the U.S. and standing trial (again). As far as I'm concerned he took advantage of that girl. I don't think he should be locked up forever or tortured or anything extreme. I think its time for him to tie up loose ends.

As far as his professional life goes, I enjoy his movies a lot. I like them a lot I consider him a cinematic genius. This has nothing to do with that though. It also has nothing to do with his parents, Nazis, Sharon Tate or Charles Manson. This is between Roman and Samantha. Tuck in your bias people, its rather unsightly.

Polanski, not Polansky

Mmm I've looked into Canadian laws to get married:

Anyone 18 (19 in some provinces) or over can get married. A person between the ages of 16 and 18 can get married with the consent of both their parents. Under the age of 16, a person needs the consent of the Supreme or County Court. There is no requirement for residency.

He served his time and that's enough. I'm getting a little tired of hearing that he was convicted of 'rape,' when in fact he was convicted of having sex with a minor, a little different. He got 45 days.

The "13 year old" doesn't want this dragged back and forth any longer - she's a grown woman with a family. The reason he fled the country was that he feared the sitting judge was going to reneg on the plea deal and give him a huge sentence. That judge is under the ground now. The new judge continues to say there were serious judicial errors in the first trial and simply wants to set things straight.

Roman doesn't like America all that much anyway.

What bias? Even the victim doesn't want any more of this. Is she biased?

I agree!

That's pretty much the same as here.

If Samantha's mom was in favor of all this...to me it sounds like she was looking to "sell" her kid, you know stardom, money and all that fancy stuff, exploitation can also be done by a parent. There's alot of crazy people out there.

I'm just saying..

I think what you're saying is right. I didn't realize that Samantha Geiner in fact went back to meet with Polanski at Nicholson's house, even after she felt very nervous after her first meeting with him, during which nothing overt happened, but enough for her to become apprehensive. I can't imagine Samantha didn't say to her mother that she didn't want to go back and I can also imagine her mother pushed her into it, thinking that this would be good for her daughter's career. What's worse is she sent her in alone, instead of accompanying her. I think that mother has a great deal to answer for myself, but I'm also sure she's dead by now.

I was referring to all the talk (sob stories) about Nazis, his parents and Sharon Tate. They (as well as his film career) should have no precedent over opinions on this case/trial. As far as the victim not wanting any more of this, its really not up to her at this point its up to the courts.

Also just because he thought the judge was not going to honor his plea bargain (and if the plea bargain was not honored Roman would have gotten 4 years) doesn't mean he can just leave. If that was the case he surely would have won an appeal esp. w/ his notoriety. I am not buying any of this "O I had to leave, I was being railroaded the judge was going to give me a 4 year sentence!" crap, he knew he was wealthy enough to do whatever he wanted and he just didn't want to deal with the consequences of his actions. Plain and simple.

I don't think he should be made an example of or get some ridiculous sentence but its time for him to finish business here in America.

I couldn't possibly begin to know what he thought at the time. One of the judges now involved in the case has said he felt that original judge, Judge Rittenbaum (I think that's the name) was behaving inappropriately, but at this point in time, Roman doesn't want to return, so it's his call. I think the victim's wishes can and should be considered as well. She is legally entitled to ask for the charges to be put aside. Some of what happened in Roman's case was very reminiscent of a certain Judge Goodman, who was looking to railroad some long-haired artist in Miami. And do we really and for sure know whether Jim whipped it out or not? No, we don't.

As far as Roman's horrific life experiences, I hesitate to call them 'sob stories.' I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like to go through what he did.

Bottom line, Samantha Geiner feels there's been enough already. He settled with her many years ago. She would like to go back to her life, without having to be dragged back to this.

Far as I'm concerned, her mother bears huge responsibility. Her daughter, after an initial meeting with Roman, was uncomfortable and didn't want to meet with him again. Her mother's solution to this was to drop her off at Jack Nicholson's house and drive away. Lovely.

Right. Mother of the year award.

I read that the judge was looking for exposure, actually now that I think of it, it sounds like alot of people including Samantha's Mom who wanted a high life for herself and her daughter wanted exposure. Like I always say, money, money talks baby.

NP: Really, having your 8 months pregnant wife stabbed 16 times is no sob story.

Someone noted that the mother was 'not allowed' to enter Jack's house. If that's not a warning of some sort, I don't know what is. I would simply have said, "Then my daughter is not allowed either. Thanks, anyway."

Hollywood is full of ambitious parents, who don't think twice unfortunately. I don't know how many incidents like this one go unreported.

true it was a horrible thing to have to go through. and i can't imagine what it would be like emotionally.

but having said that, it has nothing to do with the rape allegations and i get annoyed when people bring up what a hard life polanski has had as if that would somehow justify his actions. ive never heard polanski bring up any of his past in conjunction w/ the rape allegations. thats a cheap move and hes above it.


Oh and i completely agree that the mother never should have allowed for the private photo shoot to go down. that was greedy and irresponsible on her part imo

Yes, he has never used his tough past as an excuse, and he also manned up and pled guilty to the charges, thinking he would be treated fairly by this dead judge. He's never denied he did what he did.

What I don't like about this whole thing is that Roman was allowed to wander freely in Europe for 30 years, and presumably because he settled with Ms. Geiner financially, he must have felt this was all behind him. For Switzerland to suddenly decide to cooperate with the US authorities is very odd to me. They could have nabbed him many times over the years - the man owns a house there, for heaven's sake.

Steve Cooley, the Los Angeles District Attorney, seems a little nonplussed. I wonder what bright bulb decided to go for this now, so many years after it had pretty much blown over, and most interesting to me, why? As a taxpayer here in L.A. County (like my wishes mean anything in whatever odd political game this is) I would prefer they not spend any more of my money on this. City workers are being put on involuntary furloughs as well as State workers, because we are so broke, and yet for some reason we're going to spend a bunch of money on Roman Polanski?? WTF for?

Thats a good point, why now 32 years after the fact? Its worth pointing out though that Roman was not totally free I remember reading that he avoided going into countries that would send him back to the U.S. the U.K. for example.

As far as him and Samantha settling financially goes. Well I'm pretty sure when Polanski left for Europe she was not thrilled, and like I said before as a man of wealth and influence it probably became quickly apparent to her (and everyone) that he was not coming back so for her not to take what she could get from him would have been stupid. I don't think she settled w/ him out of the kindness of her heart. It was the best she could do and the closest thing to closure at the time.

I've seen on Americas Most Wanted them go over to Europe and bring people back who had been in hiding for years. When cases go cold detectives do not simply discard them. Time elapsed doesn't nullify the crime, Polanski should not get special treatment. Who knows maybe somehow he'll escape to France again.

Besides this is a nice little twist for whatever biopic is made about his life after he dies.

Not to mention his movies, everytime I watch the Pianist I cry like a cow.

Exactly, great post Amanada.

His hard life doesn't justify his actions towards Samantha at all. Though it of course is terrible what he had to go through in life.
I do think that if Samantha wants this case dropped they should try and do just that.
But it looks like that France and Poland have swallowed a lot of their words of support to Roman. Wondering what will happen now.
I read somewhere he is going to be placed under house arrrest in his chalet for the time being until they decide if he is going to the US to stand trial or not.

I figured they might do that, put him under house arrest. However, Roman escaped from a concentration camp when he was a child and he did this run to France 32 years ago, so my guess is he may make a bolt for France if he has even a modicum of freedom.

The DA was saying yesterday that he faces several other charges, besides the unlawful sex with a minor that he already pled guilty to. First I've heard of that. Steve Cooley, the DA, is newly-appointed, so he wants to look as if he's all over this.

Once you know Polanski's life story it's easy to see how he could direct Rosemary's Baby.