Roman Polanski Seeks Long-Distance Decision

Director asks judge to sentence him in absentia for decades-old sex crime

How long does the long arm of the law stretch?

Roman Polanski is looking to find out. The Oscar winner, currently under house arrest in Gstaad, Switzerland, has asked that a judge in Los Angeles sentence him in absentia for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in 1977. Polanski fled the U.S. before he could be sentenced.

When not penning thank-you notes to well-wishers, the chateau-bound fugitive wrote to Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza asking for a long-distance decision. The judge has indicated that no such action will occur before a hearing on Jan. 22.

Until then, the 76-year-old director will remain in Gstaad awaiting a decision on whether he will be extradited back to the United States.