Roman Polanski Arrested!
Sept. 27 2009, Published 1:31 p.m. ET
Roman Polanski has been arrested. The legendary director, who has lived in France for decades, was taken into custody as he attempted to enter Switzerland Saturday.
Polanski's wife Sharon Tate, pregnant with their child, was murdered in 1969 by Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins, who died this week from brain cancer.
Atkins had requested a release from prison in her final days.
Polanski pleaded guilty in 1977 to a single count of unlawful sex with a minor. He admitted to having given Champagne and a Quaalude to a 13-year-old girl he'd taken to his pal Jack Nicholson's house for a photo shoot, and then having sex with her. Out on bond after his plea, Polanski fled the country before he was sentenced. The arrest warrant against him was issued in 1978.
Polanski was on his way into Switzerland to attend the Zurich Film Festival where he was to be honored. U.S. officials have already begun the process of returning Polanski to the US.
His victim, Samantha Gelmer, now 45 and a married mother of three, went public with her identity several years ago after settling a civil lawsuit against Polanski. She's stated that she believes the criminal case against him should be dropped.
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