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

DATE: TUESDAY, May 29, 1990                   TAG: 9005290173
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The Washington Post
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

BARRY IS OPEN TO PLEA BARGAIN, FRIENDS INDICATE

Close friends of Mayor Marion Barry's sent out signals Monday that the mayor would consider a plea agreement with prosecutors, but only if it allowed him to plead guilty to misdemeanors, not felonies, and contained a provision sealing all evidence of his alleged drug involvement.

The friends, who have talked with Barry in recent days about a possible plea, emphasized that no negotiations with prosecutors have taken place, and sources close to U.S. Attorney Jay B. Stephens said that if any talks start today, the two sides would be far apart.

According to Barry's friends, the mayor appears to be considering a plea much the same as he would a political decision. Said one associate, "He is talking to people who are close to him and running over the possibilities."

However, a source close to Stephens said that the U.S. attorney has made it clear to his assistants that he would insist that any agreement include a plea to a felony. "If the mayor is talking misdemeanors,then he's dreaming," said the source.

by CNB