Polanski gives no signs of returning

LOS ANGELES, May 1 (UPI) -- Movie director Roman Polanski shows no signs of taking advantage of an olive branch from a U.S. judge urging him to return to the country, observers say.

Los Angeles County Superior Judge Peter Espinoza said he is willing to look at evidence that Polanski was treated unfairly in the 1977 underage sex charge that prompted him to flee the country and live oversees for three decades. But the deadline for the offer expires next week, and there have been no signs the acclaimed director has made any moves to re-enter the United States to address the charges, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Polanski, 75, has not contacted the court, and his lead attorney is refusing to say whether Polanski would return. The director's agent, Jeff Berg, would say Polanski is currently "shooting a picture in Germany" -- which the Times said was a political thriller starring Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor.

Polanski, who pleaded guilty in 1977 to sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, fled after maintaining the judge in his case was being unfair. Espinoza has offered to re-examine the charges with the possibility of dropping them, but demanded that Polanski come to Los Angeles.