Shunned & denied?
Well, it was a bad-news week for Roman Polanski.
As cynics are often inclined to quip - it never rains - it pours!
If you recall, Polanski's request for release from a Swiss jail on bond or bail pending adjudication of issues surrounding extradition to the Unites States, was denied on the grounds that the now-crusty film director was a flight risk.
Duh!
Elementary, dear Watson.
Obviously, he and O.J. are the best of buds who share cliff-hanger notes.
Although, you have to admit, Simpson's attempt to flee the long arm of the law was pretty darn sensational.
For an inventive mind, capable of conjuring of swirling intrigues - and death-defying plot twists - Polanski's blip off the U.S. horizon paled by comparison.
When he fled these borders so many moons ago, he slipped quiety into the good night, with nary a devilish wink!
Even the Governator taunted: I'll be back!
But, high-powered lawyers - anxious to spend bundles of his moolah, no doubt - made a bid for his release by filing a petition in the precise Swiss Court of Appeal.
Nada!
No lower court error, or any legal loophole, to buttress up the rapist's plea.
Innocent!
Set free!
Now, comes the grand finale.
Swiss Officials have stated they'll probably comply with law enforcement's request for extradition to the sunny climbs of Southern California.
"While the Swiss officials cannot speak for the Judge, the extradition will likely be ordered based upon the facts submitted in our papers," a deputy district fessed up when probed on the sly by alert media.
No doubt - it was a summary of the case delivered to Swiss Officals for an in-depth legal review - that cinched it for Steve Cooley and his staff in the local prosecutor's office.
If you recall, Debra Winger and a posse of Roman Polanski's movie-industry pals, signed a petition in which they asked for the director's release on the grounds of Judge error, a prevailing prejudice against the diminuitive auteur - and ultimately - because the case is a decades-old "cold file" gathering pre-historic dust.
For a second or two, film production staff cautioned about a potential crisis developing in respect to the completion of the french visionary's latest film (Ghost), too.
Indeed, the crafty rascals tried to milk that scenario for all it was worth.
Hardly a legitimate excuse for dismissal when the issues pertained to the drugging of an innocent victim and a statutory rape in its shocking wake.
Golly, wonder why Polanski's handlers dropped that line of defense?
Now that the once-insightful creative icon has been apprehended, and Swiss Officials appear to be giving the nod in favor of the U.S. Courts, I expect Polanski will be hustled back to face post-production on a set right out of Steve Bochco's "LA LAW".
I noted in a previous post that Winger's arguments were essentially ass-backwards.
For example, if the court "dismissed" the case because it was an ancient monster collecting dust in an LAPD storage file and not worthy of pursuit - or on the grounds that the aging Lothario suffered through enough mental and emotional trauma while a fugitive on-the-run - it would set a dangerous precedent.
But, it occurred to me just a day or two ago, that there may be another overriding reason Polanski, and Winger et al, would prefer the issues be resolved overseas.
Although it is conceivable that the Judge might bow to public pressure (if there is any outside the show-biz arena in Tinsel Town) and dismiss the legal proceedings in respect to the actual criminal charges.
On the other hand, Polanski may face a surprise wake up call, too.
For example, because Polanski fled jurisdiction and initially avoided sentencing, applicable criminal codes in California may require a jail sentence be imposed to penalize Polanski for thumbing his nose at the law.
What a dilemma, eh?
To some, for Polanski to serve humbling jail time in his twilight years, may just be the precious punishment the arrogant director needs.
You be the Judge!
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