The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office on Tuesday rejected
claims by Roman Polanski’s attorneys that the office hid communications
between top prosecutors and the judge in Polanski’s j1977 sex assault case. Polanski’s lawyers described "communications" that involved Laurence
J. Rittenband, the original judge in the case, and two top officials at
the district attorney’s office, Michael Montagna and Stephen Trott.
After the discussions, Trott and Montagna then blocked an effort by the
prosecutor on the case, Roger Gunson, to have Rittenband removed,
according to the 68-page court filing.
But on Tuesday, prosecutors fired back, accusing Polanski’s lawyers of
making it appear as though the district attorney’s
office withheld information when officials had fully disclosed information
about the meetings and Gunson’s recollections.
“The only deception propagated in this matter is that created by
Polanski, who continues to present only a part of the truth, omits the
people’s role in uncovering that truth, then engages in rank speculation
that the information was not provided sooner because of that cover up,”
prosecutors said.
Polanski’s attorney said the contacts between Rittenband and the
prosecutors present further proof the director was treated unfairly
during the trial and should not be extradited to L.A. from Switzerland
for sentencing.
Rittenband’s conduct was the subject of an HBO documentary, which
presented evidence that the judge acted inappropriately.
Polanski had agreed to plead guilty to unlawful intercourse with a minor
in exchange for the other charges being dismissed.
He agreed that Rittenband would determine the sentence. Rittenband
sent the filmmaker to the state prison in Chino for a 90-day "diagnostic
evaluation" that he said would "enable the court to reach a fair and
just decision."
Prison officials released Polanski after 42 days and advised the judge
that testing indicated his sentence should not include additional prison
time.
Rittenband labeled the prison report "a whitewash" and said he
planned to send Polanski back to prison for an additional 48 days if he
voluntarily agreed to deportation. Informed of this by his attorney,
Polanski left the country, seeking refuge in France.
–Andrew Blankstein
Photo: Polanski in court in 1977. Associated Press