Judge Can’t Wait for Polanski, Retires
The Los Angeles judge who once vowed to remain on the bench until Roman Polanski returned for sentencing retired Friday, saying, “I can’t wait that long,” and turned in his gavel.
Superior Court Judge Laurence J. Rittenband, the 83-year-old “judge of the stars” whose legal career spanned 60 years, presided over Elvis Presley’s divorce, Marlon Brando’s child custody battle, a paternity suit against Cary Grant and the “Billionaire Boys Club” murder trial of Joe Hunt.
Rittenband, with his colorful vocabulary and outspoken style, said because of his age it was time to “let someone else do it.”
He has fond memories of Elvis and Priscilla Presley who came to his court for a divorce in 1973.
“Elvis was a nice man,” he said.
His memories of Polanski are not as fond, he said.
Rittenband issued an arrest warrant for Polanski in 1978 when the director fled to France rather than appear for sentencing after he had been convicted of having unlawful intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.
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