Roman Polanski's infamous case, involving his s**ual assault of a 13-year-old girl during a photo shoot and subsequent flight from the United States, has been ongoing for 45 years.
Recently, The Associated Press obtained an unsealed court transcript revealing that the former prosecutor in the case testified that the judge privately informed lawyers of his intention to go back on a promise and incarcerate the renowned director.
To fully grasp the complexity and longevity of this case, here are some important dates:
March 10, 1977 — Roman Polanski engages in a photo shoot with a 13-year-old girl at Jack Nicholson's residence.
According to the girl's later testimony, Polanski provided her with champagne and a sedative, forcing her into s**ual intercourse.
Although she repeatedly refused him, fear prevented her from physically resisting.
After learning about the incident, the girl's mother contacts the police.
March 24, 1977 — A grand jury indicts Polanski on six felony charges, including rape, providing a controlled substance to a minor, and sodomy.
At his arraignment, Polanski pleads not guilty.
August 1977 — Polanski changes his plea to guilty for unlawful s**ual intercourse with a minor.
The presiding judge orders further legal proceedings.
September 1977 — In order to determine an appropriate sentence, the judge mandates a 90-day diagnostic screening for Polanski at a California state prison.
January 1978 — The diagnostic screening is completed after 42 days and recommends probation as the suitable outcome.
Feb. 1, 1978 — On the eve of his sentencing, Polanski flees the United States upon discovering that Judge Laurence Rittenband intended to send him back to prison.
An arrest warrant restricts Polanski's movements to France, Poland, and Switzerland.
Polanski alleges that Rittenband held a meeting with a prosecutor not assigned to the case, without his lawyer present, to discuss sentencing.
September 1997 — A new judge conducts a private meeting with prosecutors and Polanski's attorney to discuss the case.
The details of the meeting remain disputed and unreported.
Polanski's attorney claims that the judge wanted to televise his sentencing hearing, which the judge denies.
Prosecutors argue that Polanski wished to be sentenced without reporters present, a claim he refutes.
November 2002 — Conde Nast Publications successfully unseals grand jury testimony from Polanski's case.
March 2003 — Despite winning the best director Academy Award for “The Pianist,” Polanski is unable to collect his Oscar due to an outstanding arrest warrant.
December 2008 — Polanski's lawyers file a motion to dismiss the charges against him, which receives support from his victim.
February 2009 — A Los Angeles Superior Court judge rejects Polanski's motion, ruling that he must appear in court to resolve the case.
This order takes effect in May 2009.
July 2009 — Polanski appeals the February ruling.
September 2009 — Polanski is arrested in Switzerland, and extradition proceedings commence.
December 2009 — A California court panel denies Polanski's appeal, declaring that he must return to court to settle the case.
January 2010 — Polanski's lawyers request that he be sentenced in absentia in Los Angeles.
February and March 2010 — Roger Gunson, the original prosecutor in Polanski's case, provides sealed testimony to a Los Angeles court regarding his recollection of the judge's promises to the director in 1977.
May 2010 — Polanski's lawyers' motion to unseal Gunson's testimony is rejected by a judge.
July 2010 — Switzerland denies the U.S. request to extradite Polanski, citing their inability to access Gunson's testimony.
December 2014 — Polanski's lawyers seek an evidentiary hearing to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct in Los Angeles.
The motion is dismissed without a hearing.
February 2015 — Polanski appears in a Polish court for extensive questioning regarding the validity of the U.S. extradition request.
October 2015 — A Polish court rejects the attempt to extradite Polanski.
May 2016 — Poland's new justice minister reopens extradition proceedings against Polanski.
December 2016 — The Polish Supreme Court decides that Polanski will not be extradited to the United States.
February 2017 — Polanski's attorney files a motion in Los Angeles to unseal Gunson's testimony.
Subsequent motions seek confirmation that the director will not face additional incarceration if he returns to Los Angeles.
These motions rely on information contained in a comprehensive Polish court decision.
April 2017 — A Los Angeles judge denies Polanski's requests to be sentenced without appearing in court or to determine that he has already served his sentence.
June 2017 — Polanski's victim, Samantha Geimer, appears in a Los Angeles court, urging the judge to close the case and describing it as a “40-year-sentence” imposed on both her and Polanski.
August 2017 — A Los Angeles judge dismisses Geimer's request to terminate Polanski's case.
May 3, 2018 — The film academy announces the expulsion of both Polanski and Bill Cosby, who was recently convicted of a s** offense, from its membership.
July 13, 2022 — A California appeals court orders the unsealing of Gunson's testimony after Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón drops objections to its release.
July 17, 2022 — The Associated Press receives the transcript, revealing that the prosecutor believed the judge had broken promises made to Polanski.
Related Posts
- Roman Polanski’s Decades-Long Legal Battle: Unsealed Testimony Reveals Shocking Details
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- Hollywood’s Admiration for Roman Polanski: What Does It Say?
- Anjelica Huston’s Shocking Encounter: Witnessing Roman Polanski with a 13-Year-Old
- Anjelica Huston Uncovers Shocking Encounter with Roman Polanski and Teenage Girl
