'24' Star Sutherland Released From Jail

By KEITH ST. CLAIR,

Posted: 2008-01-21 19:30:59

Filed Under: TV News

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 21) - Kiefer Sutherland was released from jail early Monday after serving 48 days on a drunken driving charge, police said.

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Verne Troyer reached a settlement on Friday that ensures that the sex tape his now ex-girlfriend made when they were still a couple will not be distributed.

The actor was ushered out a back door and into a waiting car at 12:05 a.m. to avoid the media near the Glendale jail's main entrance, Officer John Balian said.

"It was a joint decision between him and our police department personnel that it would be better if he exited through the back," Balian said.

Sutherland spent most of his jail sentence by himself, interacting with fellow prisoners only when he was on the way to the laundry room where he worked cleaning sheets, pillowcases and blankets, Balian said.

The star of Fox television's "24" also had a cell to himself and ate alone, he said.

Officials rejected several requests from strangers who asked to visit Sutherland during his sentence.

"A lot of people came in to see him off the street: nutritionists, psychics, just random people who thought they could walk up and see him," Balian said. "That just wasn't going to happen."

Prisoners are only allowed to receive visitors already named on a list, he said.

Sutherland pleaded no contest in October to driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He was sentenced to 30 days, as well as 18 days for violating probation stemming from a 2004 drunken-driving arrest.

After entering his plea last fall, Sutherland issued a statement saying he was "very disappointed in myself for the poor judgment I exhibited recently, and I'm deeply sorry for the disappointment and distress this has caused my family, friends and co-workers."

He was granted a request to serve his time in suburban Glendale's city jail rather than in the overcrowded downtown Los Angeles County jail. Prosecutors said at the time of Sutherland's sentencing that he might be released early if he did time in a county jail, due to crowding, but Sutherland attorney Blair Berk said Monday the actor would have had to serve his full term regardless of where he was incarcerated.

Sutherland must also serve five years probation and complete an 18-month alcohol education program and attend weekly therapy sessions for six months.

Balian called Sutherland a model prisoner who has paid his dues.

"He was very cooperative, humble, didn't give us any problems. He never wanted any preferential treatment," Balian said. "Forty-eight days is a long time, but as far as we are concerned, he paid his debt to society."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-01-21 08:11:25

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225 comments

Daniscuss 03:22:06 PM Jan 23 2008

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He was ever said to have a personal account on a on the hot singles club INTERRACIALCHATTING.COM with his hot pictures and blog there. Quite a few hot girls and ladies wrote to him.

jeaniecski 10:56:17 AM Jan 23 2008

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We reap what we sow..Let him move forward now..its up to him now...Time to get back to work on 24 if the writers will write something. Drinking and driving kills and destroys. With all the fame and fortune,,,its hard to imagine booze and drugs,,just like the gutter folks, is what they spend their money on.. Rise above Kiefer!! Get your life moving.

acemurphy2 07:25:56 AM Jan 23 2008

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Rock and Roll baby !

BIGZEPPLIN 12:16:31 AM Jan 23 2008

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choose not to drink ! then free yoursef from an alchol related problem. When you'er
70 years old you will very glad you did.

BIGZEPPLIN 12:13:52 AM Jan 23 2008

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Let us not forget that the time he did was due to a crime he did.
Not withstanding his dignity in his acceptance of his responsibility, Which I do agree is refreshing . Never the less the real object here is to convince others that drinking while driving kills hundereds every day. I lession which I learned in dui school also. And which I also had to learn twice. Then the next step I wound up dieing in a Hospital in need of a liver transplant. Remeber Alchol does kill. It may still kill me even though I haven't drank since aug.20th.'04. choose not to have a problem with alchol, choose not to drink. PLEASE? fred

charartb7 12:07:53 AM Jan 23 2008

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You are an incredible actor and hope you really mean that you are sorry and will be the man you are intended to be. I will pray for you.

sonnyhaven 09:55:00 PM Jan 22 2008

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I bet you had the cleanest cell on the block, Keifer! We all have our own demons. Just consider it character work. Hopefully the time off has made your heart grow fonder of the show. Let's get rolling with 24 already! I'm in serious withdrawl and need a fix (no pun intended). The world just isn't the same without my favorite hero! Respectfully, S. H. in KY

jessejames1876 09:25:03 PM Jan 22 2008

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Daddy is rich and lucky.
Son is a born loser.
Ha Ha Ha
What a big Bummer.

lsw003 07:52:33 PM Jan 22 2008

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He is my favorite star! 24 is the best! He has a refreshing attitude, when we're seeing the Paris Hilton's of the world sneezing her way out of jail! I want to hold him, mother him (I'm 59), and just listen to his problems...Mom West

lnbe6 07:39:52 PM Jan 22 2008

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Glad he is now out of jail. Best wishes for his future.

dolfin0511 07:17:39 PM Jan 22 2008

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I am even more a fan of Keifer now. He took responsibility for what he did without making a big deal out of it. He probably could have fought it and dragged it out but he didn't. This is why Kiefer is my favorite actor. He is gorgeous, talented and has alot of class.

dolfin0511 07:12:25 PM Jan 22 2008

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I think it says alot about him that he took responsibility for what happened, even though alot of other celebrities use their money and popularity to get out of it. I knew he was my favorite actor on my favorite show for some reason. i think he handled everything with class. I love you Kiefer and I miss 24. You need to concentrate on work and put the best TV show back on the air. GoodLuck to you. Your favorite fan from Gainesville, FL

sandals503 06:58:52 PM Jan 22 2008

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That man is THE best actor, the most handsome, kindest, smartest, and has way more common sense than any other actor that gets in this kind of trouble. We all make mistakes and he did his time without any fuss or major publicity that could harm his reputation or what people think of him! If you don't agree with me, YOU are lacking all these values!!! KEIFER IF YOU BY CHANCE READ THIS, E-MAIL ME!! I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR PULICIST/CONSULTANT!!!

aandwemail 05:54:35 PM Jan 22 2008

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I'm glad he's out. Can you do more 24, PLEASE! That's my favorite show ever!

I LOVE 24!! (and kiefer) :-)

suralis4 03:55:02 PM Jan 22 2008

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He appears to be a wonderful example of how to live your life ....QUIETLY and RESPECTFULLY but mostly HONORABLY....What does this tell you about the train wrecks running around and everybody just waiting for a crash...........Go Job Mr. Sutherland.....

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