JUDGE SENTENCES ROBERT DOWNEY JR. TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON

MALIBU, Calif. - Robert Downey Jr., the Oscar-nominated actor
plagued by addictions to alcohol, cocaine and heroin, was sentenced to
three years in prison for violating probation from a 1996 drug conviction.

Downey, 34, was jailed six weeks ago after he admitted during his
regular half-yearly visit to court that he was missing scheduled drug
tests.

The actor, clean-shaven with slicked back hair, walked into court
Thursday in an orange Los Angeles County jail jumpsuit. He asked the
judge to keep him on probation so he could continue treatment at a
drug rehabilitation center called Impact.

"It's been the right program at the right time for me," he said
haltingly. "I feel whatever decision you make will be the right one.
... But I feel a transition has happened to me."

Of his addiction, Downey explained: "It's like I've got a shotgun in
my mouth, with my finger on the trigger, and I like the taste of the
gun metal," he said.

But Municipal Court Judge Lawrence Mira, who presided over Downey's
original case in 1996, said he had given the actor many chances to
rehabilitate himself, noting he has been represented over the years by
"a virtual who's who of the defense bar in Los Angeles."

But, the judge added, Downey has manipulated doctors and psychiatrists
during seven court-ordered drug rehabilitation programs.

"I don't think we have any alternative," the judge said. "We have used
them all."

The judge gave Downey 201 days for time served and ordered him to pay
restitution of $600. Attorneys said he would probably serve about a
year.

Downey nodded to several friends as he was led out of the courtroom in
handcuffs.

Defense attorney Robert Shapiro argued that Downey should again
receive probation and be allowed to continue treatment at a drug
treatment center.

"This is a person who is suffering from a disease he can't control.
... Even the dire threat of jail or prison is not enough of a
deterrent," he said.

"I am shocked and saddened by the sentence today," Shapiro told
reporters outside court. "It is wrong, it does not serve justice. Mr.
Downey was on the road to recovery."

Shapiro said he would appeal, but acknowledged "appealing sentences in
cases like this, in all candor, is very difficult."

The son of film director Robert Downey won an Oscar bid for his work
in the title role in "Chaplin," the 1992 screen biography of the famed
comedian. Other film credits include "Less Than Zero," "Natural Born
Killers," "One Night Stand," "Two Girls and a Guy" and "U.S.
Marshals." He also appears in the movie "Bowfinger" to be released
later this month.

The actor's legal troubles date to June 1996 when he was stopped for
speeding and authorities found cocaine, heroin and an unloaded pistol
in his vehicle.

He was sentenced to three years' probation after pleading no-contest
to drug and weapons charges. Despite stints in recovery, probation was
revoked because of drug use and he was sentenced to six months in
jail. He was released in March 1998 after serving 113 days.