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American Morning

Downey Jr. Again Faces Drug Charges

Aired May 24, 2001 - 11:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Actor Robert Downey Jr. back in court today to face drug possession charges stemming from his Thanksgiving Day arrest. The proceedings get underway a short time from now.

CNN national correspondent Frank Buckley is following the story in Indio, California -- hello, Frank.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Miles. Robert Downey Jr. expected to be escorted to this courthouse by a state parole agent from a drug treatment facility where he has been since his drug arrest in late April. This was an arrest outside of a motel in Culver City, police saying they found him under the influence of narcotics.

He is here in Indio toady on a separate charge. This was from an arrest in late November at a Palm Springs area hotel. Downey was found in a hotel room after police were alerted by an anonymous 9-1-1 caller, police going to the hotel room, finding Downey they say under the influence. They also found what they said was cocaine and Valium.

Today, we are expecting a number of procedural matters here in Indio. Downey is expected to plead not guilty to one of the three charges he faces, a reduced charge of possession of Valium, reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. We are expecting also for a number of hearing dates to be set. All of it should take about 15 or 30 minutes getting underway in about 15 or 20 minutes right here, Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right, CNN's Frank Buckley in Indio, we are watching it. And we will keep you posted on that court event.

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