Roman Polanski, on trial this Tuesday for defamation against Charlotte Lewis after having described the accusations of sexual assault made by the actress as “abhorrent lies”, will be set for May 14.
The Paris criminal court will deliver its decision on May 14 in the defamation case against Roman Polanski. It is therefore on the opening day of the Cannes festival that the filmmaker will be decided on his legal fate. The 90-year-old Franco-Polish director was on trial this Tuesday in Paris for defamation after having described in 2019 as an “odious lie” the accusations of sexual assault launched against him by Charlotte Lewis.
The British actress has accused him of rape since 2010. A hearing during which the English actress explained that she had experienced a smear campaign which almost destroyed her life. “It is important for me to clear my honor,” explained Charlotte Lewis on the stand. The 56-year-old English actress who accused Roman Polanski of rape in 1983 can no longer stand being dragged through the mud.
“It was hard to hear certain words over and over again. I felt like it was my trial. But I’m not being judged, I have to remember that. We must put an end to impunity, the guilty must be punished, this must change now,” she assures.
No conviction required
Failing to file a complaint for rape, which has been prescribed for a long time. Charlotte Lewis attacks Roman Polanski for his comments which she considers defamatory. Maître Delphine Meillet, the director’s lawyer, pleaded for the freedom to defend herself.
“Roman Polanski has the right to defend himself. This big question of defending yourself publicly, when you are publicly accused of such serious facts, is fundamental,” she believes.
At the hearing, the prosecutor refrained from requesting any conviction against Roman Polanski.
Marion Dubreuil with Guillaume Descours