Several points.

First, any emblem of special pleading, especially after we think we’ve suffered enough, comes from self-pity and/or self-righteousness. None of us are immune to such thought patterns and they should never give us a pass from facing the consequences of our illegal actions.

Second, if every family or every child pled that a trial would harm the child, pedophils and sex offenders would rarely be brought to justice. I do think toning down the media circus in some ways might help though it’s probably not possible in many sensational cases like this.

Last, I think there two legal issues going on here: the need for legal closure in a criminal court—in spite of the private settlement with the victim many years ago; AND Polanski’s fleeing the country before sentencing. This is not acceptable resolution and should not be excused in any court of law.

I have to agree with some of the other commenters here about making this about persecuting Jews. It’s a bit racist and you surely know better. There is such a thing as racial pride and racial pity. This case should not be made about race or nationality or anything else. He broke the law by drugging and raping a child under the age of consent. Then he fled the country before he faced punishment. That’s all there is to it. But that’s certainly enough.