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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990                   TAG: 9006140222
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

BARRY WON'T RUN AGAIN

Mayor Marion Barry, struggling against drug possession and perjury charges, said Wednesday he would not seek re-election to a fourth term. "Now is a time for healing," the embattled mayor said.

Barry hastily summoned his Cabinet to reveal his decision shortly before he told his constituents via a televised announcement.

His move was apparently part of an effort to rekindle plea bargain talks that broke down over a week ago.

Barry has pleaded innocent to 10 misdemeanor cocaine possession charges, one misdemeanor cocaine conspiracy charge, and three felony counts of lying to a grand jury about his alleged drug use. As jury selection crawled along, U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson said he hoped to seat a jury on Monday.

"Now is a time for healing, healing for me personally and for you politically," Barry said.

Barry said public opinion polls indicated he could win another term, but he added, "What good does it do to win the battle if in the process I lose my soul?"

Barry's pre-taped address was broadcast on Howard University radio and television.

Barry "is seeking to portray himself as a victim, someone who's given up something very important in the wake of these charges," said one source who has spoken to Barry several times in the past week. "The thinking is, the jury may go easy on him if they feel he's voluntarily dropped something so dear."

Barry decided over the weekend not to seek re-election, but postponed making the announcement because of publicity surrounding the efforts of Jesse Jackson and others to act as mediators in Barry's case, sources said.

Barry's decision was expected to boost the mayoral candidacies of D.C. Council member John Ray and Walter Fauntroy, the District of Columbia's non-voting delegate to Congress. Barry's successor will take office Jan. 1.

Barry said his decision "will go a long way toward lifting the shadows" over other candidates' campaigns. He noted that some have called on him to resign immediately, but said that would be "disruptive" for the city.

Barry supporters have organized a rally for today outside the courthouse where the mayor's case is being tried.

by CNB