We see it happen quite often — celebrities and others with “big names” committing criminal acts and believing that they are unaccountable for their actions. We see it happen with politicians, writers, even pastors and attorneys and others who are sworn to uphold the law. It also happens a lot in the entertainment world. One example is Roman Polanski.
The famous director was charged in the United States with a sex crime against a young girl. This occurred back in 1977. He fled the country for his native France, from where he could not be extradited to the U.S. Now, however, he is in custody in Switzerland and may be returned to the United States.
The Polanski case has raised a number of questions involving judicial, diplomatic and ethical standards.
1. When is a crime too old to be tried? In my opinion, never. Fifty years ago had they found the perpetrator of the Villisca ax murders, he should have been tried even though the crime occurred in the early part of the 20th century (he was never found). A serious crime like Polanski’s is not too old either. He needs to have his day in court, with justice for his victim finally achieved if found guilty.
2. What about extradition treaties with other countries? Attorney General Eric Holder should renegotiate any treaties with foreign countries that are not favorable to getting American criminals sent back here for quick jurisprudence.
3. Polanski’s own troubles and tragedies have been brought into question. In 1969, his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and three family friends were among nine people killed by the Charles Manson mass murderers. This was terrible but no excuse for Polanski to admit his own crime. The two crimes are in fact totally unrelated.
Roman Polanski should be returned to the United States to face a trial of his peers. If it has not been done by the time of this writing, it should be done quickly. It is not too late to try him. It is certainly not wrong to bring him back to the United States, and his behavior with a young child needs to be made accountable. Roman Polanski or any other “big name” person is equal to everyone else under the law — or, at least they should be.
David Shipp
Nevada
