Roman Polanski's Lawyers Wants Sexual Misconduct Case Moved From L.A.

January 6, 2009 9:10 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Fugitive filmmaker Roman Polanski's lawyers have asked that his sexual misconduct case be moved from a Los Angeles court.

The 75-year-old director/producer fled the country more than 30 years ago before he was sentenced for having sex with a minor. He lived in Europe ever since.

His attorney Chad Hummel filed two documents at the Los Angeles Superior Court, detailing why Polanski's case should not be heard in L.A. He said that the court expressed a "predetermination" on the case when it indicated the director should appear at the hearing.

A hearing to dismiss the case had been set on January 21.

This is the latest effort to clear the case. Last year, attorney Douglas Dalton claimed that prosecutor David Wells coached the judge, basing it on Wells' statements in the documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired."