A state appeals court on Wednesday ordered the former prosecutor’s testimony in the criminal case against Roman Polanski to be sealed. The ruling could finally end the 45-year legal saga.
California’s Second Appellate District issued the order after the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office rejected its objection to the release of tapes of closed-door depositions of retired prosecutor Roger Gunson. The panel of judges noted possible judicial and procedural misconduct that required “corrective action”.
“Ganson’s deposition was a post-trial evidentiary hearing designed to uncover this alleged abuse, and we agree with the people that there is no factual or legal basis for sealing the deposition transcript,” the order reads.
Harlan Brown, Polanski’s attorney, said he would appeal to the director without physically appearing in court.
“If we succeed in sentencing him in absentia, the warrant will be suspended and he can go on with his life,” Brown said. “I could travel outside of Poland, Switzerland and France.”
Polanski was arrested in 1977 for raping Samantha Gamer, then 13 years old. He agreed to a deal to drop five more serious charges, including drug-induced rape, in exchange for pleading guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor. His lawyers hoped he would not spend time in prison and receive a suspended sentence.
Polanski fled to France after learning that Judge Laurence Rittenband, who originally tried the case in the 1970s and died in 1993, would back out of the settlement and jail him for 50 years. Polanski argued that the judge was too influenced by the prosecutor, the press and fear of public backlash to give him a light sentence.
Los Angeles state court judges have consistently refused to seal Ganson’s testimony. The latest request to release the transcripts came from freelance journalists Sam Wasson and William Rempel, who say their intention is to scrutinize the integrity of the courts.
The state appeals court said it remains “deeply concerned that these allegations of misconduct have not been adjudicated by a court equipped to receive the evidence and make a finding of fact about the events of 1977 and 1978.” The judges urged the court and prosecutors to investigate the allegations of misconduct.
Asked if Polanski could be arrested for fleeing the country, Brown said: “There is no chance because of the statute of limitations.” He also insisted that “it was not an illegal flight”.
“We are pleased that the Court of Appeals agrees with the victim and our office on the need for transparency,” District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. “The court decision helped us shift our responsibility to defend ourselves, tell the public the truth and listen to survivors. We hope this gives you a little reassurance that you can finally solve this decades-old process. “
John Washington, a representative for Wasson and Rempel, said in a statement that the release of Gunson’s testimony “was not about Roman Polanski’s actions” but about “the First Amendment right of the public and the press to know what happened.” “. and prosecutors are doing in our courts.” and prosecutor and court restrictions to seal that information.”
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
