Polanski’s 45-year-old sex abuse case

The Associated Press reports that a U.S. judge privately told lawyers he would renege on a plea deal and imprison film director Roman Polanski after he pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in 1977
   

Jan 1968: Polanski marries actress Sharon Tate in London
 
Aug 1969: Tate and her unborn son are brutally murdered by followers of Manson cult in Los Angeles. Deaths seriously affect Polanski
      
Mar 1977: Polanski is arrested for sexual assault of 13-year old girl during photo shoot. Film maker is indicted on six criminal counts, including rape

Aug: Polanski pleads guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse

Sep: Judge Laurence Rittenband orders Polanski to undergo psychiatric evaluation in prison

Jan 1978: Evaluation recommends Polanski be placed on probation

Feb 1: Polanski flees U.S. on eve of sentencing, after learning that judge intends to renege on plea deal and send him to state prison.
Arrest warrant is issued, confining his movements to France, Poland and Switzerland

Mar 2003: Wins Oscar for best director for The Pianist, but is unable to collect his award in person
     
Sep 2009: Polanski is arrested in Switzerland at request of U.S.

July 2010: Swiss government rejects U.S. extradition request

2015-16: U.S. attempt to extradite Polanski from Poland fails
     
Jun-Aug 2017: Polanski’s victim, Samantha Geimer, appeals to U.S. judge to end case, calling it “40-year- sentence” inflicted on both her and Polanski
       
Jul 17, 2022: Unsealed testimony made by original prosecutor, Roger Gunson, supports Polanski’s claim that he fled because judge had broken his promise on plea deal
      

Sources: Associated Press, Variety, H. Allegra Lansing 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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