#24 Lobosolo & #25 Roger Simon:
While the victim has settled and has publicly stated she does not want criminal charges, the matter has moved beyond that stage. I heard an excellent commentator on the radio this morning (on NPR of all places) who pointed out that the laws purpose is not just to punish and rehabilitate, but just as importantly if not more importantly to maintain the public order. Polanski raped a minor and fled justice. While he has verbally expressed regret and has settled financially he has rejected multiple plea bargains over the years, and refused to surrender to any authority no matter how sympathetic. As a fugitive actively flaunting his arrest, it is imperative the government pursue and punish him. Its conceivable that he was emotionally imbalanced by the murder of his wife at the time of the rape (I doubt it, but the case could be made) but he’s had 30 years to come to terms and he’s failed.

If there’s any justice, they’ll put him in the violant juvenile wing and he can be raped by a 13 year old gangmember.