Arguments begin in Roman Polanski’s California appeals case

Polanski appeals court hearing begins

LOS ANGELES — A California appeals court is hearing arguments that could decide the fate of Roman Polanski’s sex case.

The hearing before a three-judge panel in Los Angeles began with arguments from Polanski’s attorney, Chad Hummel.

The director remains on house arrest at his Swiss chalet. His attorneys are asking the judges to rule that the director doesn’t need to be present to pursue his claim that his child rape case should be thrown out because it was tainted by judicial and prosecutorial misconduct.

A judge declined to rule on a dismissal motion earlier this year, saying Polanski had to turn himself in and make the request.

Prosecutors argue the issue is now moot since the “Chinatown” director was arrested in Switzerland in September.