Victim Forgave Polanski, But Not Media

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 28th 2009 04:01PM

While Roman Polanski was arrested over the weekend for a statutory rape he committed more than thirty years ago, he has had one very unlikely person defending him in recent years -- his victim.

Samantha Geimer, who was 13 years old when Polanski raped her at Jack Nicholson's house in 1977, recently filed a formal request asking Los Angeles prosecutors to drop charges against Polanski. In January, at the time the request was filed, Geimer, now 45, said: "I have survived, indeed prevailed, against whatever harm Mr. Polanski may have caused me as a child. I got over it a long time ago," according to the NY Daily News.

Geimer publicly forgave Polanski in 1997. She was hoping if the case and incident was put to rest, the details of it that continually ran with each Polanski headline would cease.

"True as they may be, the continued publication of those details causes harm to me, my beloved husband, my three children and my mother," Geimer said.

In 1977, Polanski lured the 13-year-old aspiring model Geimer into Nicholson's home for a photo shoot, where he gave her champagne and prescription drugs. Despite her requests to be taken home, Polanski then took nude photos of her in a hot tub and had sex with her. He later pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor.

"What happened that night, it's hard to believe, but it paled in comparison to what happened to me in the next year of my life," Geimer said recently.

She later told PEOPLE magazine in 1997 that Polanski "did something really gross to me, but it was the media that ruined my life."

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Celebrity Troublemakers

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a 30+ year-old arrest warrant for statutory rape.

Getty Images

Celebrity Troublemakers

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski was arrested in Switzerland on a 30+ year-old arrest warrant for statutory rape.

Getty Images

Randy and Evi Quaid are seen here in their mugshots obtained exclusively by TMZ following their arrest for sipping out on a whopping California hotel bill.

TMZ

Photographer Tyler Shields (top right) and 'Vampire Diaries' actresses Kayla Ewall (top left, Nina Dobreva (bottom left) and Krystal Vayda were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for flashing drivers during a photo shoot on a Georgia highway overpass.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office / AP

Alex Da Silva, a choreographer featured in 'So You Think You Can Dance,' was arrested April 4th. On August 18, he was arrested on a felony warrant charging him with sexually assaulting four of his dancing students.

LAPD

Singer George Michael found himself in handcuffs for suspicion of driving under the influence after plowing into the back of a truck. The owner of the other vehicle said Michael was 'dazed,' but police didn't charge Michael.

Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP

Cameron Douglas, the 30-year-old son of actor Michael Douglas, was arrested in Manhattan for allegedly trafficking crystal meth.

Gabriel Bouys, AFP / Getty Images

'Black Hawk Down' actor Tom Sizemore was arrested for alleged domestic violence against a woman late in the evening on August 5, TMZ is reporting.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

'Harry Potter' actor Jamie Waylett, who plays school bully Vincent Crabbe in the films, was charged July 7 with growing 10 marijuana plants. He has plead guilty, and will serve 120 hours of community service.

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images

'World Trade Center' actor Wass Stevens was arrested on July 8 in NYC after allegedly striking a college student over the head with the metal end of a velvet rope. He was charged with assault and possession of a weapon and released without bail.

Joe Kohen, WireImage

'Howard Stern Show' star Artie Lange has been arrested on suspicion of DUI in New Jersey according to TMZ. Fans of the show know Lange's dark history with substance abuse, which he has never shied away from addressing on the air.

Soul Brother, FilmMagic

Tags: rape, roman polanski, RomanPolanski, samantha geimer, SamanthaGeimer

Comments

(214)

Monday 28 September

By Elizabeth

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What little sister? I've read the court transcripts. They don't mention any sister. Do you really have any idea what your'e talking about?

By cyndi

She said that what Roman did to her was gross, but pales to what happened to her the next year. I wonder what happened to her the next year? Why was a 13 year old even in that kind of environment? Where were her parents? She should have been home, not out with grown men! I guess Roman has had alot of horrible things happen in his life, so maybe it wouldn't hurt to give him a break after all this time. I think the parents should share the blame here.

By rdhood

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

What he did was sleazy as heck BUT....

1) she forgave him
2) she received monetary compensation from him
3) she took a quaalude. If you know anything about methaqualone, you know that she doesn't remember a darned thing from that night.
4) there are a million 13 year olds having sex today, and most of it is complete consenual
5) in the history of the world, 13 years old was old enough to be married off... often to 40 year olds. It was the way of this world until about 100 years ago.

Time to just let it be.

Why do you say she was paid off? Where is the evidence?

By Duke

It is unfair that Polanski ran and escaped his punishment. It slaps the law right in the face saying if you commit a crime, go ahead and then run to a foreign country to live the rest of your life. Rape an under age girl? Go to a foreign country and become a citizen of that country. That is wrong. Wrong message to sex crime criminals.

By webster patton

It's funny how "good" people can effortlessly spew hate, venom, and rage, all in the name of justice. No emotions clouding any judgement here! My wife is a former prosecuter who changed from a nice joyful woman into a raging shrew (her words) who had to quit her job because it completely changed her poeronality for the worse. She initially went into justice from the perspective of trying to do good but it eventually clouded her through and through. Justice is supposed to be administered by people who are clear headed and mindful of the facts. Emotion clouds judgement and revenge fills the void. Now, the average person feels this rage and contempt as a means to feel important and power trip a bit by becomng a self apppointed judge themselves. Nancy Grace knows this all too well. Get the audience enraged and you will get a conviction on emotion rather than facts. Lets prosecute everyone, then we'll ALL have a reason to be mad at everyone. Anger, rage, and bile corrupts a person, clear headed justice cleans the soul of the victims(s) and/or their survivors. In fact, I'd bed money on Nancy fumping on this story with her pitchfork and torch blazing. Can't imagine an ex-prosecutor letting this go when she has such an eagerly listening audience of self appointed jurors, uh, fans hanging on her every word.

By peapers

What does your wife's emotional reaction to her CHOSEN line of work have to do with this incident? People have an emotional reaction BECAUSE THIS IS AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE. No one accepts pedophiles, because they rob children of their innocence. THIS pisses people off, including myself.

By kayd

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

TommyO what an idiot! I don't recall "her mother knowing she had sex" and what makes a difference if she had sex with other before this scuddy old man RAPED her. Does it mean anything to you that she cried to go home, this ADULT man gave her alcohol and drugged her? I sure hope you don't have a 13 year old girl!! OR have access to one!! He did the crime then ran away to avoid time...he needs to serve time. I'm sure this isn't the only time he's raped a child, just the first time he was caught.

By Lanette

some of the comments some of you are making me worry about the kids in your lives. I fear for them, I really do.

By Bonbon

Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover want him forgiven but then they hang out with Hugo Chavez to, so it doesn't surprise me.

By John

The bailjumper has the notion he is above the law - another bluenose entitled person who believes he is above the law. God forbid the same thing happened to him no matter the age. His call for justice would be heard around the world.

By dave

Tom Omara......sounds like you like to have sex little kids....huh?

By guso

Its easier for her to forget when
paid off as she was.
He pleaded guilty and should serve his time.

Why do you assume she was paid off? Cause some dumb commenters on here say so?

By JD

KJ is correct...it's up to the LAW. Drugging and having sex with a minor is RAPE (people( WAKE THE HELL UP. What if it was your mother, daughter or niece? Hang him...

By semsem

Polanski paid her / settled so enough.

By J.A. Smith

The law is the law. Victims do not get to decide the punishment for criminals (although, perhaps they should). If this woman was calling for Polanski to be burned at the stake, he would not be burned at the stake. If this woman wanted him to get off Scot free, that won't happen either. Just because you may be rich and famous, or your crimes were committed years ago, it doesn't mean justice was served. Although Hollywood is often accused of being "left-wing", their defense of Polanski is extremely right-wing, in the sense that they don't believe their rich and famous brethren should be subject to the same laws as the "little man". It's like racism, but applied on a social scale, rather than geneological. If you are of a certain social standing, and have created "groundbreaking artwork", Hollywood believes you should be afforded more rights than others. They are the new-age aristocracy... but of course, that isn't news. They may fight for the "little man" in the movies... but only in the movies.

By sophocles

What ever happened to statue of limitations?? I believe only murder has none. So this should have been off the books after 7 years.Also why are somepeople dragging jewish history into this?? get over it. You were not there

By Doctor Jerry

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Technically Polanski was not arrested for the crime of having raped a minor. He was arrested for having fled the USA after conviction and before sentencing. He is considered a 'fugitive from justice' and this status is not altered by the forgiveness of his victim. His talent as a film director is equally irrelevant to the case, just as the talent of a really good counterfitter would not mitigate the crime of his counterfitting $20 bills. Polanski pled guilty to the charge but never faced the punishment. It should be up to the court to decided what that punishment should be. Public opinion does not run our legal system, nor should it be allowed to do so.

By mike

She may have been paid off , but the D.A. will fry his ass . as they should , he should'nt have been able to live his life of luxury , while the poor girl @ 13 suffered . I real sorry what happened to Sharon Tate , but he doesnt get a poor me pass for his perverted actions.

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