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"I choose to insist on the integrity of the judicial system that he appear. The motion is denied," ruled L.A. Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza today in court about a request to sentence director Roman Polanski in absentia. A lawyer for Polanski said Espinoza's ruling was media influced. "Why should he show up? For what -- a show? ... The case gets down to one question: Should a promise of a judicial officer of this court be honored?" asked Chad Hummel.
