Another Woman Claims Roman Polanski Raped Her When She Was 16;
Hollywood PR Consultants Fret Polanski Will Either Have to Win Another Oscar, or Three People's Choice Awards, In Order to Clear His Name

And she too isn't alleging merely "rape" but actual rape-rape.

Four years after he fled the United States in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a minor, Roman Polanski "forced himself" on another woman, then 16, in his Paris apartment, the woman alleged Friday.

Charlotte Lewis of London, who appeared in Polanski's 1986 film Pirates, made the allegation in a press conference held at her attorney Gloria Allred's Los Angeles office. Allred described Polanski's alleged behavior as "sexually predatory conduct."

"[Polanski] sexually abused me in the worst possible way when I was just 16," said Lewis, who remained composed while reading a prepared statement. "He knew [how old I was] when he met me and forced himself upon me in his apartment in Paris. He took advantage of me and I have lived with the effects of his behavior ever since it occurred. I've traveled to the U.S. at my own expense to make sure that justice is finally done and that Mr. Polanski gets what he deserves. All I want is justice."

I'm inclined to believe her, but there's a reason laws impose a statute of limitations on crimes (and they vary according to the crime): To make sure the charge can be resolved while evidence still exists. This charge certainly can't be resolved so many years after the fact.

Considerations of fundamental fairness compel us not to presume anyone is guilty based on non-existent evidence; but, on the other hand: Guilty.

posted by Ace at 07:54 PM

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