Michael Douglas Asks Judge for Leniency in Son Cameron’s Case

http://www.shockya.com/news/2010/04/21/michael-douglas-asks-judge-for-leniency-in-son-camerons-case/

Michael Douglas Asks Judge for Leniency in Son Cameron’s Case


Before Cameron Douglas son was sentenced on April 20 for dealing methamphetamine and cocaine in New York City, his famous father, Michael, wrote to the judge, asking him for leniency, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

AP added the actor wrote that the Douglas family’s long history of drug abuse sparked his son’s drug habit. Douglas also wrote that while his son is an adult and is “responsible for his own actions,” Cameron’s substance abuse problems and drug dealing were a result of “genes, family and peer pressure.” Douglas’s half-brother Eric died in 2004 from a drug overdose.

Douglas also hinted that his son’s drug problems stemmed from coming from a privileged family, as his grandfather, Kirk, is also an actor. He wrote that “I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father. I’m not sure I can comprehend it with two generations to deal with.”

The 31-year-old Cameron was arrested July 28 of last year at the Hotel Gansevoort in Manhattan as part of a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation. He reportedly dealt large amounts of meth and cocaine while there. He pled guilty in January, and told the judge that he first started dealing when a contact asked him for drugs in 2006. After that, Cameron said he began dealing on a regular basis.

Cameron is currently in a Manhattan federal jail, and is also supported by his grandfather Kirk, stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones and NBA executive Pat Riley. Ninety-three-year-old Kirk asked the judge to spare his grandson a lengthy sentence, as he hopes to see him turn his life around while he’s still alive. Zeta-Jones also wrote that while Cameron’s heroin addition has taken over his life in recent years, he has remained a ‘caring, considerate, worthy human being.” However, she didn’t argue that he shouldn’t pay for his crimes.

The charges carried a minimum sentence of 10 years, but Cameron’s lawyers insist he is committed to his sobriety. They urged the judge to only give him a maximum three-and-a-half year sentence.

Written by: Karen Benardello