Polish Prosecutors Censure LA Courts Over Polanski Extradition Ruling
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Prosecutors in Poland issued a scathing indictment of the Los Angeles County courts system on Friday, in ruling that famed director Roman Polanski should not be extradited to face 38-year-old child rape charges.
The prosecutors argue that Polanski could not get a fair punishment in Los Angeles for his confessed rape of a then-13 year old girl in 1977.
Polanski pleaded guilty and fled the country before being sentenced.
The a statement on Friday, prosecutors in Krakow, Poland said they would not appeal a lower court's denial of a Los Angeles County extradition request.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker, who is now 82 years old, is preparing to shoot a new movie in his native Poland.
The prosecutors stated Friday that Polanski would be denied rights that are guaranteed by the European Constitution, citing "excessive vulnerability of judges and prosecutors to criticism by the American news media", which would prevent a fair sentence from being imposed for the rape of the girl.
L.A. judges were also criticized for having consulted with prosecutors without Polanski or his attorney present, a violation of European legal codes.