Los Angeles judge sets Wednesday hearing in Roman Polanski sex case

LOS ANGELES -- Roman Polanski's long-delayed criminal case will return to a courtroom for a hearing later this week, a court official said Monday.

Superior Court spokesman Allan Parachini said Judge Peter Espinoza will convene a hearing on Polanski's case for Wednesday afternoon.

The appeals court suggested the case could end quickly if Polanski's attorneys agreed to sentencing in absentia or he drops his opposition to being extradited to the United States.

Polanski is under house arrest at his Swiss chalet. He was arrested in late September on a fugitive warrant.

Polanski was initially accused of raping a 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and a Quaalude pill during a 1977 modeling shoot. He was indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molestation and sodomy, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

He fled to his native France on the eve of sentencing in 1978 after spending 42 days a California prison for a psychiatric evaluation.