Charges Against Barry Won't Be Pursued

Late Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced they would not pursue stalking charges filed against D.C. Councilman Marion Barry by his former girlfriend. The news comes on the same day that voicemails left by Barry on the woman's voicemail surfaced, detailing their apparently volatile history.

The U.S. Attorney's Office released the following statement just before 6 p.m. Wednesday in regards to the charges against Barry:

"Following a review of the evidence relating to stalking allegations against Marion Barry and a careful analysis of the relevant factors, including the elements of the offense and the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia has decided not to pursue stalking charges in this matter."

Barry and his ex-girlfriend, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, told different versions of the alleged stalking incident, which ended in Barry's arrest on July 4 in Anacostia Park in Southeast D.C.

On Wednesday night, Barry's spokespersons said he would take up the issue of his arrest with Park Police.

"He was held two hours before being arrested," said Natalie Williams, Barry's spokesperson. "He was held for four hours with no attorney. Mr. Barry has said he has every intention of elevating these concerns."

Also on Wednesday night, Barry's accuser clarified what she told police.

"I said he's bothering me—make sure he goes home," said Watts.

Watts added that she wished Barry would have talked to her immediately after he was released, and the whole thing would have "been over."

Voicemails Barry apparently left on her answering machine between June 30 and July 4 show they had a very volatile relationship. The Washington City Paper obtained the voicemails , which it says were recorded by Watts-Brighthaupt's husband, Delonta Brighthaupt.

In one of the voicemails posted on the City Paper's website , a voice said to be that of Marion Barry is heard saying:

"Donna, you don't have to answer your home phone. Let me just say-- I'm addicted to you. Don't call me back. I will not take a call from you. I'm not going to call you back."

But the explosive voicemails obtained by the City Paper shed some light on the rocky relationship between the Ward 8 Councilman and his former girlfriend.

Further complicating the ongoing saga is a personal services contract Watts-Brighthaupt signed with Barry. It names her as a consultant, responsible for coming up with poverty reduction strategies in Ward 8.   To read more about the contract, click here to our previous coverage.

At a hastily-arranged, late-night news conference Tuesday, Barry's spokeswoman confirmed there was such a contract that Barry agreed to, even though he now insists Watts-Brighthaupt is unstable and under the care of a psychiatrist.

"As Mr. Barry has attested all along, Ms. Watts is not to be believed--her account of the park incident is proof of her instability," said Natalie Williams, Barry's spokesperson, during the statement.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Williams released the following statement in relation to the release of the tapes:

"Any consensual, sexual relationship that Mr. Barry and Ms. Watts had is a personal and private matter between two adults.  If Ms. Watts felt at all threatened by Mr. Barry she should have addressed it at that time. The content of these tapes have absolutely nothing to do with the arrest of Mr. Barry on July 4th and under no circumstances incriminates Mr. Barry of any crime. Instead, the release of the tapes does nothing more than show the true character of his accuser."

FOX 5 tried to get some councilmembers to comment on the latest Barry goings-on, but no one would go on camera. None of them wanted to be quoted.

Privately, some are saying this could be the unraveling of the political career of the man known as 'Mayor for Life.' Others say it's not clear that using his council budget to give a friend a contract is a misuse of public funds.

 

• To hear the voicemails obtained by the Washington City Paper, follow this link to their website.