It surprises me at how much controversy there is over Roman Polanski’s arrest in Switzerland earlier this week. The guy plead guilty and fled the country before sentencing. It seems pretty straightforward to me. If you are a fugitive, when you get caught, you go to jail. Just because you evade getting caught for a long time doesn’t mean you should be allowed to avoid your sentence in my book.
Now for the details of the case this is all new to me since Roman has been on the run for most of my life. Fortunately, Patterico has done excellent work laying out the case and filling in his readers on all the details (Part 1 and Part 2). Even though this is not part of his work for the District Attorney’s Office, he knows the details that many have forgotten over time.
I have read more of the ongoing debate, but the important part which are the facts. Roman committed a crime (rape of a minor in addition to other charges), plea bargained down, PLEAD GUILTY, fled the country prior to sentencing, and is now caught and faces jail time. Sounds like Roman needs to go to jail and based on the crime, I will not feel bad if they throw on some extra days for his 30-year run from justice.
- FOP Vermillion