Roman Polanski, the director behind films like Rosemary’s Baby and The Pianist, will still face trial, an LA judge has decided.
In 1977, Polanski fled to France after raping Samantha Geimer, who was then 13 years old.
Though Geimer, now 54, has said she “forgives” Polanski, adding that she wants to move on with her life, the Los Angeles Superior Court has decided the case will be moving forward.
"I would implore you to do this for me, out of mercy for myself," she told the court last June.
Judge Scott Gordon, however, said the case would not be dismissed "merely because it would be in the victim's best interest.”
"As eloquently described by Ms. Geimer,” he added, “[Polanski’s] conduct continues to harm her and compounds the trauma of the sexual assault committed against her that gave rise to this case," he said.
Despite the Polanski case be going forward, the director won’t be returning to the United States to face trial.
