What Roman Said
Here's some fun stuff for the Polanski apologists claiming he was railroaded.
From the transcript of Polanski's plea hearing:
Mr. Gunson [The Prosecutor]: . . . Mr Polanski, before you can plead guilty , you must understand the possible direct consequences of your plea. Do you understand you are pleading guilty to a felony?
The Defendant [Polanski: Yes
Mr Gunson: What is the maximum sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse?
The Defendant: It's one to fifteen -- twenty years in State Prison.
. . .
Mr Gunson: Mr Polanski, who do you believe will decide what your sentence will be in this matter?
The Defendant: The Judge.
Mr Gunson: Who do you think will decide whether you get probation?
The Defendant: The Judge.
Mr. Gunson: Who do you think will decide whether the sentence will be a felony or misdemeanor?
The Defendant: The Judge.
Mr. Gunson: Do you understand that at this time, the court has not made any decision about what sentence you will receive?
The Defendant: [No Response]
Mr. Gunson: Do you understand that the Judge has not made any decision?
The Defendant: Yes.
. . .
Mr. Gunson: Do you understand that a legal defense to this crime of Unlawful Sexual intercourse is that the perpetrator believed the female to be 18 years of age or older? Do you understand that?
The Defendant: Yes.
Mr Gunson: On March 10th, 1977 the day you had [unlawful] sexual intercourse with the complaining witness how old did you believe her to be?
[Pause in the proceedings while a discussion off the record ensued at the counsel table between the defendant and his counsel.]
The Defendant: She was 13.
---
Mr. Gunson: The District Attorney will make a motion to dismiss the remaining pending charges after sentencing. Other than that promise has anyone made any promises to you, such as a lesser sentence or probation, or any reward? Immunity? A Court recommendation to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, or anything else, in order to get you to plead guilty?
The Defendant: No.
emphasis added
Read the full transcript.
So, what can we learn from this kids? Well:
1.) The claim that Polanski thought he was going to get time served for pleading guilty is bullshit. He admits under oath that he had not been promised a shorter sentence or probation, he knew that the judge was yet to make a determination, and that his sentence could be up to 20 years.
2.) The claim that he didn't know she was 13 is bullshit. He admits under oath here that he knew her age when he committed his crime.
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Well
I mean I would think better of Roman if some of his art wasn't so "wrong".
Or would I?
Did DeSade ever partake of his art? I forget.
I suppose 60 years ago no one would have cared that an adult male would have an affair with a minor. Possibly a sexually active minor? These days that matters. I guess I am sort of perplexed by why sexual intercourse from 1977 matters. Sure he shouldn't have. But what is the motive behind the complaint? Is there money changing hands as well?
This is why it is important to any individual to wear their honor like a crown on their head. Once you descend into wierdness like this situation, it will eventually fuck up your world.
Finally, anyone ever read that book by Terry Maury?
What is this bullshit? Sex
What is this bullshit? Sex with a minor, who by definition cannot consent, is not "an affair", nor is it just "sexual intercourse". It is rape.
And sure, it would be kind of odd and perplexing to be going after him now if for some reason no one had seen fit to bring him before the law back in '77. That isn't the case, though: he's been a fugitive from the law for decades, and now that he's finally fucked up and left himself open, he ought to be made to answer. What the fuck is perplexing about that?
I love how you describe drugging and raping a 13-year-old "descend[ing] into wierdness", as if it were some sort of wild and crazy adventure. Bonus points for the reason you give for not drugging and raping 13-year-olds: "it will eventually fuck up your world." ("Don't commit genocide--you might get shot!")
Oh, it is wrong
What he did is wrong and he will be punished for it - obviously. I can't even think of a reason to excuse his behavior, I am just wondering where it came from, and why.
Was he stuck in 1940 where a "child bride" would have been a truth and not a consequence? I am not saying he deserves a reprieve in any way, just that I am interested in why he did what he did. He is a very tragic figure in a way -considering his art and the horrors visited upon him in his life. My apologies on not being a little more descriptive.
Thanks for clarifying. I'm
Thanks for clarifying. I'm not sure how well what you just posted jibes with what you posted earlier, but I'll let that lie.
Yeah, I am somewhat obtuse
Yeah, I am somewhat obtuse about certain issues. I sort of look at the issue with two views. One view is based in historical and cultural knowledge that some cultures - and not too long ago even ours (American) did not necessarily look down upon that sort of thing. My own father was born to a 14 year old girl. They were rural and that was "normal" back then. So what I wonder is if Polanski - at the time - felt no guilt in such matters and if he does now. It's hard saying.
I suppose my main point here being that times have changed for the better - because frankly I view people at that age as children - but maybe in the time that Roman grew up, it wasn't "unacceptable" to him morally. It does seem that he is resigned to his fate so I assume he does understand now what he did then is repugnant.
I was talking to my mother about this today and she said that the accusations of him being involved in pedophilia go back to the 70's. This was not information I had known before.. so maybe 20 years isn't enough for him.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1203081roman1.html, if you're going to be quoting things from The Smoking Gun.
I think that Polanski got busted when he did because he was sending lawyers to ask for the whole case to be dismissed without showing up. The probation report is actually rather sympathetic to him and sounds like all he would have gotten would have been time served. Thumbing his nose recently at the court in asking for a complete dismissal wasn't wise.
There are some stand-up movie industry people who aren't supporting him -- Luc Bresson, the director of La Femme Nikita is one.