-- U.S. Park Police said Sunday "apparent" traces of marijuana and cocaine were found in the car of former Washington Mayor Marion Barry during a search last week.
Barry was sitting in a parked car Thursday night in the Buzzard's Point area of Washington when the incident occurred, according to Sgt. Scott Fear. Park Police were called to check a suspicious vehicle in a no-parking zone.
Fear said no arrest was made because the amount of drugs allegedly detected was too small to support a prosecution.
Fear said the investigating officer found the car's occupant was the former mayor who appeared to be ingesting something. The officer noticed a "powdery substance" under Barry's nose, Fear said.
Police called for a dog trained to detect drugs, and the animal "alerted" or "hit positive" on some materials, Fear said. A field test indicated positive for "residues" of marijuana and cocaine, but they were deemed so small that police did not make an arrest, Fear said. The powder reportedly observed under Barry's nose was not tested, he said.
CNN was not able to reach Barry or his lawyer for comment. However, his attorney, Fred Cooke Jr., told The Washington Post that Barry "denies being in the possession of any illegal drugs."
Cooke also was quoted as saying the former mayor allowed police to search his car, a Jaguar, because "he didn't have anything to hide."
Barry was convicted of a misdemeanor count of cocaine possession in 1990 after his arrest in a downtown hotel. He has frequently said publicly that he is drug- and alcohol-free.
Recently, Barry announced that he would make a bid this year for an at-large seat on the Washington City Council.
Barry, 66, was first elected mayor in 1978 and was re-elected in 1982 and 1986. After serving six months in prison for his misdemeanor drug conviction, he was elected mayor a fourth time in 1994.
The latest edict sent down from on high ...
------------------------------------------- What a country!
Only in America can the mayor of the Nation's Capitol serve 6 months in prison for various illegal activities, that were caught on tape, and come back and be re-elected.
This man is definitely "over" as a public figure.
I think if I was the last person on Earth, I would still wear pants, because I don't need to look down and have that kind of disappointment each and every day.
Barry was sitting in a parked car Thursday night in the Buzzard's Point area of Washington when the incident occurred
Hey, that's like, a mile from my apartment! Cool!
You really have to live here to have a true appreciation of how "over" the guy is. He's like the Hogan of politics. You either totally mark out for him, or you completely hate his guts. There isn't a whole lot of middle ground.
"He smoked crack and got his job back? If you smoke crack at McDonalds, they won't let you back near the happy meals. Your ass is going to be working at Hardy's."
Originally posted by MoeGatesYou really have to live here to have a true appreciation of how "over" the guy is. He's like the Hogan of politics. You either totally mark out for him, or you completely hate his guts. There isn't a whole lot of middle ground.
Moe
And he apparently has the backstage stroke, too.
Let's see... There's traces of drugs in the car, he's got some white powder on his nose, he seemed to be ingesting something... Nah, guys, it's probably nothing. Let the good mayor go. But then, I imagine the police are that friendly to every black guy with coke on him.
(edited for HTML)
(edited by PalpatineW on 29.3.02 1030)
I didn't expect to find a salesman drinking coffee this late in the morning. How long you been here, Joe?
Missed one? http://wienerboard.com/cagcotd.php I took the lazy route and decided I'd let candidatecamera.com make the choice for me today - and, as always, they did not disappoint... Not wanting to campaign until March, soon to leave us is...