California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says filmmaker Roman Polanski, 76, should be treated like anyone else in the eyes of the law.
Swiss police arrested Polanski on an outstanding U.S. warrant in connection with a 1977 child-sex case when Polanski traveled to Switzerland to receive a lifetime achievement award.
Currently living in France, Polanski has not traveled to the United States since he pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor and fled the country before sentencing. He was accused of drugging and raping Samantha Geimer when she was 13.
Polanski’s lawyers have alleged misconduct on the part of the Los Angeles criminal justice system at the time of the plea deal.
Aaaaarnold says:
“It doesn’t matter if you are a big-time movie actor or a big-time movie director or producer,” Schwarzenegger, who as governor has the power to grant clemency to Polanski, said in a CNN interview Thursday. “I think that he is a very respected person, and I am a big admirer of his work. But nevertheless, I think he should be treated like everyone else. … One should look into all of the allegations, not only his allegations but the allegations about his case. Was there something done wrong? You know, was injustice done in the case?”
