Second, if I had had Polanski's Auschwitz experience, I know I would have fled rather than ever set foot in a prison. does it excuse the act itself? Hell, no. But the court should have recognized that circumstance and ruled on his misconduct hearing without his physically appearing, since the odds of dismissal or a new trial were significantly non-zero.

Except that he wasn't in Auschwitz. If you're going to call other people on their facts you should make damned sure you have your own right.