Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 16, 1990 TAG: 9005160187
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Barry, who had faced eight drug-related charges before being indicted again last week, entered his plea through his lawyers in a brief arraignment in which he frequently smiled and waved at spectators.
The mayor was freed on his own recognizance pending trial, set for June 4.
The six charges on which Barry was arraigned Tuesday, all misdemeanors, were five counts alleging that he possessed cocaine and one count alleging that between 1984 and 1990 he conspired at least 20 times with more than 10 acquaintances to obtain, share and use cocaine.
The eight earlier charges, to which the mayor pleaded not guilty in February, were five counts charging possession of cocaine and three charging that he lied to a grand jury about drug use. The perjury counts are felonies.
If convicted on all 14 counts, the mayor could be sentenced to up to 26 years in prison and fined $1,850,000.
Now in his 12th year as mayor, Barry had planned to run for another four-year term this fall until his arrest here in January at the Vista Hotel on a charge that he smoked crack obtained for him by a woman who was secretly working for the police.
The first indictment followed, and he had to put his political plans on hold.
Still, as he left the courthouse Tuesday he said he felt "fantastic," throwing back his head in laughter and bouncing on his toes. "I've got a great defense," he added, nodding to his lawyers.
Barry and his lawyers have scoffed at speculation they might resort to plea bargaining.
by CNB