California appeals court rejects Roman Polanski’s bid to have criminal case dismissed

Court rejects Polanski move to have case dismissed

LOS ANGELES — A California appeals court on Monday rejected Roman Polanski’s bid to have his 32-year-old sex case dismissed, but cited grave concerns over possible judicial and prosecutorial misconduct.

The California 2nd District Court of Appeal announced it had denied the petition, with justices saying they are “deeply concerned” about the probable misconduct by a now-deceased judge and a retired prosecutor who advised him.

“We encourage all participating parties to do their utmost to ensure that this matter now draws to a close in a manner that fully addresses the issues of due process and fundamental fairness raised by the events of long ago,” the court’s opinion stated.

While a blow to Polanski’s efforts to have the case dismissed and win his freedom from Swiss authorities, the ruling cast serious doubt on how the case was handled.

The new focus ignited public passions, with some angrily calling for Polanski to be imprisoned. Others, including some colleagues in the film industry, have advocated for his freedom.

The appeals court faulted Polanski for fleeing the country rather than seeking legal remedies at the time. But it also said repeatedly it is time for the case to be over.

It raised a number of potential options for Polanski, including seeking sentencing in absentia, but it did not require further action by the trial judge. Polankski is under house arrest at his chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland, fighting extradition.

Attorneys for the fugitive director argued earlier this month that misconduct in the case was grounds for dismissal of a charge of having unlawful sex with a minor. They also contended Polanski didn’t need to be present to argue for dismissal.

The court, while acknowledging there was probable misconduct, disagreed but said a more thorough examination of the case should occur at the lower court level.

“The passage of more time before this case’s final resolution will further hamper the search for truth and the delivery of any appropriate relief, and it will also prolong the agony that the lack of finality in this matter continues to cause Samantha Geimer,” the opinion states.

The justices noted they were identifying the victim in the 1977 case because she publicly identified herself long ago.

Polanski fled the United States in 1978 on the eve of sentencing; he had pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual contact with Geimer. Her attorney argued she had the right to ask that the case be dismissed and urged the court to do so.

Polanski was accused of plying the teen with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill, then raping her during a modeling shoot at Jack Nicholson’s house in 1977. Polanski was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy. He later pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse in a plea bargain.

The opinion which exhaustively reviewed the entire history of the case was written by Associate Justice Laurie Zelon, who questioned a prosecutor during oral arguments about why the office had not investigated recent allegations of misconduct by a judge and prosecutor during Polanski’s 1977 court proceedings.

“Fundamental fairness and justice in our criminal justice system are far more important than the conviction and sentence of any one individual,” the opinion stated.

The opinion opens with recognition of the unique circumstances of the Polanski case.

“In another chapter of what surely must be one of the longest-running sagas in California criminal justice history …” the opinion begins.

Polanski remains under house arrest at his Swiss chalet. Authorities there say they will resolve whether to extradite the “Chinatown” and “Rosemary’s Baby” director to the United States sometime next year.

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office had no immediate comment on the ruling. She said attorneys were still reading through the 70-page opinion.

A message was left with Polanski attorneys Chad Hummel and Douglas Dalton. Their spokeswoman said they would not be commenting.

Marina Zenovich, whose HBO documentary on the case raise the allegtions of misconduct, declined to comment. Her film was cited repeatedly in the decision.

The appeals justices are the second court to raise concerns about Polanski’s treatment by the courts. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza said earlier this year there appeared to be “substantial misconduct,” but that Polanski had to return to the United States to argue for the case be tossed out.

Loyola University Law Professor Stan Goldman said Polanski most likely would have to return to the United States to have the matter resolved.

“They have such a strong ruling from the appeals court,” he said, “They should consider agreeing to extradite him.”

Goldman said Polanski would likely face a brief stay in jail after arrival.

“But it would be relatively brief and the court is suggesting he would be free,” Goldman said.

Associated Press Writer Linda Deutsch in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects in graf 2 that prosecutor was advising judge. Multimedia: A PDF of the appellate court’s decision has been posted in the “Polanski Ruling” folder at ftp.ap.org/StateLevel/ca. Moving on general news and entertainment services.)