Samantha Geimer Roman Polanski's sexual assault victim Country: France

1. Samantha Geimer: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski
2. The Assault and the Controversy
3. A Long Legal Battle and the Discovery
4. The Legal Consequences for Polanski

Samantha Geimer: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski

Samantha Geimer, a victim of Roman Polanski's sexual assault, has revealed that the close-up photograph of her face chosen for the cover of her memoir was taken by the director just a few weeks before the attack. In 1977, when Samantha was 13 years old and went by the last name Gailey, she experienced an incident that led to one of the most infamous Hollywood scandals. The renowned filmmaker, Roman Polanski, was accused of sexually assaulting her, causing him to flee the United States to avoid arrest. Now, after approximately 35 years, Samantha finally shares her story in her book 'The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski,' set to be released in September. The chosen photograph for the cover was taken by Polanski himself on February 20, 1977. According to Samantha, the writing of the book and the selection of this particular photograph are all part of her quest to reclaim her own identity.

The Assault and the Controversy

Less than three weeks after the first photoshoot where the 43-year-old Polanski intoxicated and assaulted the 13-year-old girl at Jack Nicholson's residence on Mulholland Drive, Samantha's portrait for the book cover was taken. In her memoir, Samantha describes how Polanski convinced her to pose topless during their first photoshoot at her parents' house. For many years, Samantha identified herself solely as a victim of Polanski. However, she now offers her story without anger, with the intention of sharing a detailed account that will help her regain her true self.

A Long Legal Battle and the Discovery

In 1988, Samantha filed a civil lawsuit against Polanski, accusing him of sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and seduction. In 1993, he agreed to pay Samantha half a million dollars to settle the case, although it remains unclear whether he actually made the payment. As part of the civil lawsuit, Samantha's lawyer, Lawrence Silver, who also contributed to the book, demanded that Polanski turn over all the photographs he had taken. Silver was always convinced that there were additional photos, and decades later, they were found, including the one that ended up on the book cover. During the initial search, the police disregarded a receipt from the photo department at Sav-On Drugs. It was only years later that the lawyer discovered Polanski had given the receipt to his attorney, and they retrieved the developed film and negatives from the pharmacy. As a result of the civil lawsuit, Polanski had to hand over these photographs, which would have otherwise remained undiscovered.

The Legal Consequences for Polanski

Initially, Polanski faced criminal charges on six counts, including rape, drug use, sexual relations with a minor, and sodomy. However, he pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse as part of a plea bargain. In exchange, the judge in Los Angeles dismissed the other charges and sentenced him to three months in jail for a psychiatric evaluation. He was released after 42 days when the expert deemed him mentally stable and not a threat. However, the judge threatened further sanctions, prompting Polanski to choose to leave the United States. The 79-year-old filmmaker, known for directing "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby," is now restricted in his international movement due to an Interpol warrant in 188 countries. However, he continues to freely travel between Switzerland and France. In 2010, Switzerland released him from house arrest after the government refused to extradite him to the United States. Geimer has publicly forgiven him and joined his plea to have the case dismissed.