
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 8, 1994                   TAG: 9401080129
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Short

RICK JAMES GETS 5 1/2 YEARS IN PRISON

Singer Rick James was sentenced Friday to nearly 5 1/2 years in prison for what prosecutors called violent, drug-induced attacks on women.

James, 45, best known for the 1981 hit "Super Freak," was convicted of assaulting a woman and holding her against her will in November 1992. He also was found guilty of giving cocaine to a woman authorities said he assaulted in July 1991.

Defense attorney Mark Werksman said James had a $10,000-a-week cocaine habit. - Associated Press

Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.

by CNB