Lawyer backs down on Polanski plea story

A formerdistrict attorneyin the office that prosecutedRoman Polanski is backing down on his allegation that the trial judge planned to renege on Polanski's plea bargain.

David F. Wells relayed the story in Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, a 2008 movie by Marina Zenovich that examined the public scandal surrounding Polanski's trial for having sex with a minor.

Wells is depicted conferring with the trial judge in the film and urging him to reject the plea bargain Polanski had accepted for a short term in prison.

"They interviewed me in the Malibu courthouse when I was still a [district attorney], and I embellished a story," Wells said Wednesday.

"I'm a guy who cuts to the chase I lied. It embarrasses the hell of me."

Polanski's attorneys have used Wells's statement in their efforts to dismiss the case against him.

Polanski, director of Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby, was arrested in Switzerland on Saturday and faces weeks in prison there while the U.S. works out his extradition.

Wells said he thought when he told the story that the film Wanted and Desired would only show in France. It toured the festival circuit and was later aired on HBO.

Wells retired more than two years ago. The former district attorney was not directly involved in prosecuting Polanski, but did have frequent contact with the now-deceased judge, who presided over the case.

Polanski was accused of plying a 13-year-old girl with champagne and part of a Quaalude in 1977 and raping her.

He was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawfully having sexual intercourse with a minor.

He fled the country on the eve of his sentencing hearing.

The media furor over the case has been heavily criticized in France, where Polanski now lives.

Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand questioned on Thursday whether Polanski would get a fair hearing in the U.S.

But other French officials, who initially called for charges to be dropped, are being more cautious.