Polanski lawyers seek access to testimony

A COURT in the United States is considering the possibility of releasing transcripts relating to the decades-old sex abuse case against Roman Polanski.

Yesterday, lawyers for the Oscar-winning director sought access to the documents that include testimony by former prosecutor Roger Gunson, who wanted the trial judge to be disqualified because of purported misconduct. Prosecutors are opposing the release of the transcripts.

Los Angeles authorities want Polanski returned from Europe to face sentencing on a charge he had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. Polanski was arrested seven months ago and is under house arrest in Switzerland.

He fled the United States in 1978 on the eve of sentencing.

Polanski's attorneys said they need to send the testimony of the retired deputy district attorney to Swiss authorities who are considering whether to extradite the director to the US.

The motion said the transcripts would prove the extradition request was based on false and incomplete statements by the LA district attorney's office.