Roman Polanski detained in Zurich

[m.j.]

so, most of u think he's quilty but u did watch his movies??? and us goverment thinks he is quilty but they gave him an oscar. and uk goverment thinks the same, but gave him an award for life achivement....
he escaped the states and continued his life. if he was to stay in the states he would end up as michael jackson. face it, most of u didn't bother to think about something like this until few days ago, when polanski was arrested. then u read it, and all of a sudden he is the r*pist.

 

[*Bianca*]

ettebe I am assuming that you thinking this was a 'consensual' act (in commas because, yes, legally there is no such thing at this age), which is why you are arguing that it would not be a problem in a different country (although I don't know many countries whose age of consent for a female is 13 - the average worldwide seems to be 16)

But the girl said no multiple times - read her statements here:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskib12.html
so while it would have still been r*pe even if she had given her 'consent', this was r*pe in it's most recognisable form.

 

[tifa]

so, most of u think he's quilty but u did watch his movies??? and us goverment thinks he is quilty but they gave him an oscar. and uk goverment thinks the same, but gave him an award for life achivement....
he escaped the states and continued his life. if he was to stay in the states he would end up as michael jackson. face it, most of u didn't bother to think about something like this until few days ago, when polanski was arrested. then u read it, and all of a sudden he is the r*pist.

Um, no? Those of us who are older will remember this throughout the years. I don't think he should have got those awards but let's seperate his work from his personal life as it is not an issue here. Micheal Jackson was never found guilty, that is not up for debate in this thread.

 

[tigerrouge]

If you're a certain age, you will not have escaped reading about Roman Polanski's personal life, whether it's the Sharon Tate murders - which are the stuff of grisly legend - or this case.

 

[Harumi]

I have two issues with Roman's arrest.

The first issue is on the legal level. In my opinion Roman's trial wasn't fair.
Roman was condemned because he pleaded guilty. But he pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal that was renegaded.
On a strictly legal point of view, it puts in a whole new perspective not only his admission of guilt (since admission of guilt is at the center of a plea deal, and even someone who is innocent can be be persuaded to plead guilty in exchange of a lighter sentence) and rather justify his fleeing from America (if he had good reasons to believe the system was corrupt, why should he be expected to stay?).
Tigerrouge pointed out that miscarriages of justice are put right fairly often and if he had a case he should have argued it instead of fleeing.
True, but they also are just as fairly often not put right (for example how many people have been executed in the US while the case against them was ridiculously flawed?).
Personally I think he was undoubtedly guilty and should most definitely have gone to jail 30 years ago, which makes the way the trial was handled even more appalling.
But given the circumstances, I have a bit of a problem with the US justice system being so vindictive.

The second issue is ideological. Weather or not you think Roman's should go to jail now should depend on what you think the purpose of the the justice system is: to punish for the sake of punishment or to protect society and reform criminals?
If it's the former, then yes, Roman should go to jail for an abject crime he committed 30 years ago. And he should be made some inmate's b**** like another poster gleefully requested. And we can all happily rejoice that no evil deed goes unpunished.
My personal philosophy leans towards the latter.
I do not think Roman has done anything in the last 30 years that would make one think he is a danger to society, a unhinged predatory pedophile or a sociopath. I see no evidence that he is now the same man that committed that evil act, that he would do it again or that society needs protection against him.
So, truthfully, I fail to see what would him going to prison now would achieve, apart for making a point, and a very weak one at that one (anybody who believes r*pists will be shaking in their boots because Roman got his comeuppance is exceptionally naive I think).

My argument is not a defence of what he did, nor an absolution of his crime.

I certainly wished he had been properly tried and condemned 30 years ago (god knows there was enough evidences to condemn him without using to shady tactics), but now, I feel that whole story is a waste of judicial manpower and time.

he could have any girl. why would he r*pe some wannabe???

Not every female is a desperate groupie willing to drop her panties anytime a famous man glance at her.
Roman, like any other man on the planet, cannot have any woman he wants. I am sure he could then and still can now have plenty of sexually available women at his beck and call, but he can't have them all.
No always means NO whether you are Barack Obama, Brad Pitt or Bob from the gas station.
Her raped the girl, period.
His talent (although undeniable) is also completely irrelevant to the issue at hands.

 

[eternitygoddess]

and for those for u who think that the victim should stand up and talk about r*pe in front of family, press, etc... u r living in some perfect world and u have no idea what being raped means.

****Edited *****
Is it WRONG for victims to stand up and share their experiences? Should they be ashamed? Should they hide in the dark? What does living in a perfect world have to do anything with this? It is BECAUSE we live in an imperfect world, and many people (such as you) condemn r*pe victims who speak out, that those victims SHOULD be ENCOURAGED to voice their thoughts and overcome the stigma attached. It's also an important part of the healing process for the victim to confront what happened instead of avoiding it.

so, most of u think he's quilty but u did watch his movies??? and us goverment thinks he is quilty but they gave him an oscar. and uk goverment thinks the same, but gave him an award for life achivement....
he escaped the states and continued his life. if he was to stay in the states he would end up as michael jackson. face it, most of u didn't bother to think about something like this until few days ago, when polanski was arrested. then u read it, and all of a sudden he is the r*pist.

***Edited ***
The last time I checked, the Oscars were handed out by the Academy of Motion Arts. NOT in any way affiliated with the US government. I also remember that there was much criticism by the public for giving Polanski his Oscar. But once again, Polanski's art and Polanski's crimes are separate topics; so when talking about one, the other doesn't factor in.

**** Edited ****

The Polanski r*pe case has been ongoing for a long time, its been written about on numerous occasions, and many people have debated it over the years. It's because now he's finally been arrested that a new occurrence has been introduced to what was a once in-limbo situation.

He's been considered to be a r*pist long before this arrest occurred.

 

[eternitygoddess]

The second issue is ideological. Weather or not you think Roman's should go to jail now should depend on what you think the purpose of the the justice system is: to punish for the sake of punishment or to protect society and reform criminals?
If it's the former, then yes, Roman should go to jail for an abject crime he committed 30 years ago. And he should be made some inmate's b**** like another poster gleefully requested. And we can all happily rejoice that no evil deed goes unpunished.
My personal philosophy leans towards the latter.
I do not think Roman has done anything in the last 30 years that would make one think he is a danger to society, a unhinged predatory pedophile or a sociopath. I see no evidence that he is now the same man that committed that evil act, that he would do it again or that society needs protection against him.
So, truthfully, I fail to see what would him going to prison now would achieve, apart for making a point, and a very weak one at that one (anybody who believes r*pists will be shaking in their boots because Roman got his comeuppance is exceptionally naive I think).

I somewhat agree with you. However, Polanski's case right now is not just that he raped a 13 year old, but that he FLEED from the law.

I'm not sure where the U.S. justice system stands on the issue of "fleeing", but is it possible that he will also be prosecuted for that action?

Can someone with legal knowledge clarify this point?

 

[tigerrouge]

So, truthfully, I fail to see what would him going to prison now would achieve, apart for making a point, and a very weak one at that one

I think there's every reason for him to face some form of judicial process, the outcome of which is for the court to decide.

He has had the means and the ability to try to sort this issue out before now, without having to be detained - and considering the restrictions it has long placed upon his movements, it's a wonder that he didn't try.

In 2005, he managed to sue Vanity Fair successfully for libel - so he's been no stranger to actively pursuing his own case in law courts where he hasn't been able to attend in physical person. As the editor of Vanity Fair noted: "I find it amazing that a man who lives in France can sue a magazine that is published in America in a British courtroom."

It's got to the stage where he's been arrested, when it would have been in his own interests to have long ago moved to clear his own name, or negotiate some deal from a distance.

Did he think he would evade the issue forever? If so, he didn't factor in things like American interest in Swiss tax evasion, and what the government might do in exchange for a lessening of US interest, which is being cited as one reason for his sudden arrest.

 

[t-rex]

so, most of u think he's quilty but u did watch his movies??? and us goverment thinks he is quilty but they gave him an oscar. and uk goverment thinks the same, but gave him an award for life achivement....
he escaped the states and continued his life. if he was to stay in the states he would end up as michael jackson. face it, most of u didn't bother to think about something like this until few days ago, when polanski was arrested. then u read it, and all of a sudden he is the r*pist.

I am able to watch his films and appreciate them while separating them from who the man is and what his actions have been. You have shown you are completely unable to do that.

The U.S. government never gave him an Oscar. The Academy Awards did. They award for what they think is the best of movie making that year, not someone's morality.

I've been aware of the Polanski case for several years now, and as for the people who just read up on the facts a few days? They're reading the facts and they have as much knowledge as I do ....

****Edited. Please do not direct personal comments towards other members. ***

 

[Fabulyss]

Everyone knows about this HBO documentary 'Roman Polanski: Wanted & Desired' right? I watched it when it was first released and it was totally biased in Roman's favor, dismissing the r*pe as a 'fateful mistake'. It also argued the completely irrelevant issue of the promiscuity of the girl and stressed the responsibility of the girl's mother.
http://www.hbo.com/docs/docuseries/romanpolanski/

 

[BetteT]

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[tifa]

Sorry...hope I didn't call anyone a name although I may have been harsh, I guess this subject just gets quite heated.

 

[fashion tyger]

Does anyone think he's actually gonna be extradited.....

 

[madame_georgiana]

Its quite sad how some famous people are standing up for a r*pist...

 

[madame_georgiana]

Does anyone think he's actually gonna be extradited.....

Yes the prosecutors have been trying for decades to get him, so I do believe he will be extradited.

 

[ckashie]

His defense claimed that the girl was a prostitute, among other things.

 

[CharlottefromCA]

For anyoen arguing about age of consent! Why does it matter.. he drugged her and raped her. I really do not understand how anyone can defend this man. This is all I am saying because I don't want anymore of my posts being deleted, this topic gets me so heated.

And M.J. why should she be silent about the r*pe? She was in a trial, she has to tell everything.. are you saying she should be ashamed and be quiet about the whole thing??!? That is why r*pe is often unreported and so many r*pists get off easy..

I just don't understand how people can say the man who raped and kidnapped the 13 year old girl in California should have been kept in jail the first time (which he should have..) and then go on defending this man.

 

[Spiral1532]

That's the whole point. There wasn't going to be a trial. There was a plea agreement in place where he would plead guilty and receive a specified sentence. Very, very common. Happens every day. However, in this case the Judge backed out and reneged on the agreement due to some behind the scenes activity that had nothing to do with the case. Once Polanski had reason to believe the system had been corrupted, he left the country rather than face a sitaution that was deliberately stacked against him.

Prosecution is one thing. He faced that head on and was set to deal with the consequences.

PERSECUTION is another matter. No one should have to face that.

Aside from all that, the case was settled in civil court and the victim is against further action.

THERE IS NO CASE HERE. HE DID NOT FLEE TO AVOID PROSECUTION. THE VICTIM DOES NOT WISH TO PROCEED AND MAY DECLINE TO TESTIFY.

Amen.
And please, those of you who claim that some of us here are guilty of "celebrity worship" simply because we're not calling Polanski a "r*pist", well that's just ridiculous. Celebrity worship is buying a fashion magazine just because Victoria Beckham is on the cover. Or wanting to buy a certain article of clothing simply because one of the Olsen twins was photographed wearing it.

 

[Spiral1532]

I do not think Roman has done anything in the last 30 years that would make one think he is a danger to society, a unhinged predatory pedophile or a sociopath. I see no evidence that he is now the same man that committed that evil act, that he would do it again or that society needs protection against him.
So, truthfully, I fail to see what would him going to prison now would achieve, apart for making a point, and a very weak one at that one (anybody who believes r*pists will be shaking in their boots because Roman got his comeuppance is exceptionally naive I think).

My argument is not a defence of what he did, nor an absolution of his crime.

Bravo!

 

[ponytrot]

thank you Harumi for a bloody brilliant post.