October 1st, 2009
08:40 PM ET
10 years ago

Schwarzenegger: Treat Polanski 'like everyone else'

Schwarzenegger: Treat Polanski 'like everyone else'.

Schwarzenegger: Treat Polanski 'like everyone else'.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told CNN on Thursday that he thinks filmmaker Roman Polanski, who was arrested in Switzerland last weekend for having sex with a 13-year-old girl, should not get special treatment because of his celebrity status.

As some in Hollywood rally to Polanski's defense, the movie star-turned-Republican governor said he wouldn't promise the director a pardon if he gets extradited to the United States and re-enters California's legal system. He said that he would "not treat (Polanski's) situation any differently than everyone else's."

"It doesn't matter if you are a big-time movie actor or a big-time movie director or producer," Schwarzenegger told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I think that he is a very respected person, and I am a big admirer of his work. But nevertheless, I think he should be treated like everyone else."

soundoff (105 Responses)
  1. jeff fastov

    Where was this childs mother ? She was told there was a magazine shoot for a french Vogue magazine and she is not there to chaperone a 13 year old.Come on now, she should also be charged with child abuse and neglect .

    October 2, 2009 12:48 am at 12:48 am |
  2. Jeremiah

    Wow, what a concept, people being treated equally under the law. If he wasn't involved in movies everyone would want this guy put in prison, but no, he makes movies, so he's more special then the rest of us.

    October 2, 2009 01:05 am at 1:05 am |
  3. Quienna

    I agree that everyone should be treated equally at all times. No matter who they are or how much money they have. People in our society today are becoming too lenient on celebrities. They act as if they are gods and goddesses. No one should receive special treatment for a crime like engaging in a sexual intercourse with a minor. They should be put under the jail. It does not make sense to me for a person like filmmaker, Roman Polanski to be involved in this kind of crime. If he has to have sexual contact, all he has to do is flash a couple of dollars at a full grown woman of his age. Thus, avoiding getting himself into any illegal incidents.

  4. LMC

    I rarely agree with Republicans, but Roman Polanski has skipped out on this crime long enough. As far as whether the crime is important enough to spend money on, would it be important if it was your 13 year old daughter? If some Joe Schmo had done the crime, nobody would be defending him. I have enjoyed many of Polanski's movies, but 13 is 13!

    October 2, 2009 01:08 am at 1:08 am |
  5. Ted

    Here's one liberal Amen to you brother Arnold!

    October 2, 2009 01:14 am at 1:14 am |
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