United States judge rejects Roman Polanski victim's bid to close case

Samantha Geimer in June this year More
Samantha Geimer in June this year More
Author

19 August, 2017

Noting that the court "may not dismiss the case merely because it would be in the victim's best interest", Gordon had a lot to say in his Friday order about the now-40-year-old case involving Samantha Geimer, and none of it was good for Polanski, who has compared the US justice system to the Nazis in the recent past.

"... I would implore you to consider taking action which can finally bring this matter to a close as an act of mercy to myself and my family", she told Gordon, suggesting that Polanski could be sentenced without having to return to court.

But when it appeared that Judge Laurence Rittenband wanted to send him back to jail, Polanski fled the USA for Europe. "Geimer, his conduct continues to harm her and compounds the trauma of the sexual assault committed against her that gave rise to this case".

Roman Polanski has been denied his latest request to unseal testimony given by the original prosecutor in the filmmaker's four-decade-old statutory rape case.

But Gordon rejected that suggestion in April, stating that the defendant's fugitive status disqualifies him from seeking relief in the court.

"I don't get it", Polanski's latest attorney, Harland Braun, said shortly after the judge's ruling was released.

The director of "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" was accused of drugging Geimer when she was 13 before raping her at Jack Nicholson's house in Los Angeles in 1977 while the film star was away.

"This case is 40 years old, with an 84-year-old defendant and a 50-year-old victim requesting that the matter be resolved".

Despite repeated efforts to make a deal or extradite him ever since, Polanski has remained beyond the reach of American justice, even when the dual citizen of France and Poland and his victim have both said they wanted to see him return, just without more jail time.

After he became a fugitive, his attorneys have failed to persuade judges to sentence him in absentia and credit him for the 42 days he was incarcerated for psychological testing before he fled. But he cited a 1976 California appellate court panel's ruling in noting that "a court may not dismiss a case merely because it would be in the victim's best interest".

Geimer has said she was more traumatized by the legal system and the fallout from the case than she had been by Polanski.

Gordon had praised Geimer for her courage and elegant words but also expressed skepticism that Polanski could resolve the case without appearing in a Los Angeles courtroom. The supposed deal would have seen Polanski behind bars in total for less than 90 days for the March 10, 1977 rape of Geimer. Braun had hoped to use the testimony to persuade European authorities to rescind the global arrest warrant against Polanski. He has eight Cesars - the French equivalent of the Oscars - and a best director Academy Award for Holocaust drama "The Pianist".

Prosecutors dropped charges of rape and sodomy against Polanski, who is now living in Paris, France.


More news


  • Street Analysts View On Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), Tutor Perini Corporation (TPC)

    The average true range of the stock is observed at 0.81 and the relative strength index of the stock is recorded at 50.20. Teachers Retirement System Of The State Of Kentucky has 0.08% invested in Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) for 85,546 shares.
    Trump ends plans for his Council on Infrastructure

    Trump ends plans for his Council on Infrastructure

    Trumka said earlier Tuesday he was still considering whether to leave the advisory board after Trump condemned racism as "evil". Along with Trumka, AFL-CIO deputy chief of staff Thea Lee also announced her resignation.
    Trump denies equating neo-Nazis with Virginia counter-protesters

    Trump denies equating neo-Nazis with Virginia counter-protesters

    South Carolina's other senator, Tim Scott, also seemed to criticize Trump without mentioning his name in a Tuesday tweetstorm . In a separate tweet , Trump accused "the Fake News" of distorting "what I say about hate, bigotry, etc.
  • US Wants India, China To Have Direct Dialogue On Their Issues

    US Wants India, China To Have Direct Dialogue On Their Issues

    The latest incident comes in the wake of a stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops along the border in Sikkim. China had constructed a road up to Finger Four which falls under Siri Jap area and is five km deep into the LAC.
    Star Wars: The Last Jedi Features Cameos From Many Different British People

    Star Wars: The Last Jedi Features Cameos From Many Different British People

    They also checked out props such as animatronic heads and robot BB8 before posing for a group photo to mark the occasion. To be clear, Boyega did not tell the BBC hosts Friday that the princes and Hardy were definitely in the movie.
    Charlottesville mayor reverses, calls for removal of Lee statue

    Charlottesville mayor reverses, calls for removal of Lee statue

    Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson on a flatbed truck in the early hours of August 16, 2017 in Baltimore , Maryland. Fields was charged with second degree murder after 32-year-old Heather Heyer was killed in the crash.
  • Shire PLC (SHPG) Shares Sold by Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC

    Shire PLC (SHPG) Shares Sold by Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC

    Lone Pine Capital Llc decreased Lululemon Athletica Inc (NASDAQ:LULU) stake by 1.08M shares to 4.50M valued at $292.73M in 2016Q4. Matthew Knauer decreased its stake in Qualys Inc (QLYS) by 80.61% based on its latest 2016Q4 regulatory filing with the SEC.
    Lake Bell Reveals Her Three-Month-Old Son's Name!

    Lake Bell Reveals Her Three-Month-Old Son's Name!

    Bell explained that "Mark" comes from how often she and Campbell dictate " question mark " into their phones when voice-texting.
    Kenyan opposition files case at Supreme Court challenging election results

    Kenyan opposition files case at Supreme Court challenging election results

    The Supreme Court, which has introduced changes to fast-track the petition, has until September 1 to deliver a verdict. They will hear from Kenyatta's Jubilee party and the election commission before making their decision.
  • Palace look to Benteke to exploit Liverpool defence

    Palace look to Benteke to exploit Liverpool defence

    Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur played for the Under-23s side in the week and they may come into De Boer's first-team plans. They want to strike back I'm sure but again it's Anfield. "Yes, I have spoken to him, of course", he said.

    Stock within Traders Radar:: Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH)

    In related news, insider Venkat Krishnaswamy sold 8,151 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 14th. On August 8 the company was upgraded to "Buy" from "Buy" and a price target of $85.00 was set in a report from Berenberg.
    Congress members push for Trump to be censured

    Congress members push for Trump to be censured

    Heather Heyer was struck and killed by a auto driven, police allege, by one of the rally's attendants. There is not a formal process for censure to pass through either chamber of Congress.