ROMAN POLANSKI - JUDGE REFUSES TO TOSS OUT POLANSKI CASE

JUDGE REFUSES TO TOSS OUT POLANSKI CASE

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza ruled Thursday that while new facts, disclosed in the documentary Roman Polanski Wanted and Desired did indeed suggest misconduct on the part of the judge who presided in Polanski's original trial, he could not overthrow the conviction without Polanski's appearance in his courtroom. Los Angeles authorities have indicated that if the director returned to the U.S. he would be arrested as a fugitive. Polanski's attorney, Chad Hummel, said that he would file an appeal, telling reporters later that the misconduct of the judge is "plainly evident" and that Polanski's victim, Samantha Geimer, had also requested that the charges against the director of Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist be dismissed.

08/05/2009