Michael Douglas Breaks Silence About Son Cameron's Prison Sentence2010-05-03

Michael Douglas opens up about his son Cameron being sentenced to prison for five years, telling "Today" show co-host Matt Lauer that he feels it's an "adequate amount of time."

Once facing a 10-year term, the judge ordered Cameron, 31, to five years in prison. In court, the actor's son apologized for his actions and admitted to dealing methamphetamine and cocaine. "Look, my son was a drug dealer and he's been trying to kill himself for a while and I can't condone his behavior," Douglas said on the morning show. "So I think the court recognized his drug addiction as well as the crime he committed ... and the best part of it is he will be able to start his life afresh."

Prior to Cameron facing his prison sentence, his father submitted a hand-written letter to the judge, asking him to be lenient with his son. He wrote, "I love my son, but I'm not blind to his actions. ... I don't want to see him break."

He told Lauer, "The fact is, with all the mistakes and the disease that Cameron has, he's a great young man and I wouldn't be supporting him if I didn't feel that way. So yes, I think the judge was put in a difficult position."

Other pleas were made by Cameron's grandfather Kirk Douglas, his stepmother Catherine Zeta-Jones and NBA executive Pat Riley.

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