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March 21 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon is expected to rule on director Roman Polanski's 40-year-old sexual assault case. Gordon, after hearing from Deputy District Attorney Michele Hanisee and Polanski's defense attorney Harlan Braun on Monday, said he will issue a written ruling on the case within 90 days
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Braun argued that the filmmaker should be allowed back into the United States and face no more jail time after pleading guilty to having sex with a minor in 1977.
"He's 83 and wants this case over with," Braun said. "Mr. Polanski has made it clear publicly he regrets the crime."
Polanski was accused of statutory rape for having sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer after giving her champagne and part of a Quaalude during a photo shoot inside actor Jack Nicholson's home.
Polanski was charged with a number of felonies but saw charges dropped as part of plea bargain that had him plead guilty to unlawful sex with a minor. He was first sent by the now deceased judge Laurence J. Rittenband to 42 days in prison before he was sentenced.
Polanski then famously fled the country in 1978 after becoming convinced that he would be sent back behind bars for a lengthy sentence. The Oscar winner has since fought U.S. extradition efforts in Poland, Switzerland, where he spent 300 days in custody, and France, where he now lives.
Braun argued in court that Polanski has already spent more time in custody then he would have faced for his crimes in the 1970s. "He has actually done nearly eight times the sentence he was promised," Braun said.
"This case is 40 years old because the defendant fled," Hanisee said in response.
"Not only did he flee, he has fought all of the People's efforts to get him back to this jurisdiction," she continued. "The people simply do not believe it is in the best interests of justice to give a wealthy celebrity different treatment than any other fugitive from justice. "That's what Mr. Braun is asking for. He's asking for special treatment."
