An article posted Oct. 5 on the Newsone website questions whether Ward 8 D.C. Councilman Marion Barry was framed two decades ago when he was busted smoking crack with a female in a District hotel room.
The article contends that Barry, 76, -- who was D.C. mayor at the time of his widely reported arrest in January 1990 -- launched his political career as a hard-working activist, but veered off course to a path of destruction.
As a result, "did Barry become the victim of racists who discriminated against Blacks or did he just self-destruct," the article asks. It adds that during Barry's first run as mayor in 1978, he had the support of the Washington Post, and that his first term in office was described as "methodical, competent, and intellectually superior."
The article goes on to state that the District's deficit had begun to evolve into a major problem and that by Barry's second term at the helm, details of his personal life were making their way into the press.
By the time he embarked on a third stint as mayor, Barry reportedly faced problems with alcohol and drug use that threatened his effectiveness, according to the article.
However, it was in June 1990 that Barry announced, prior to the start of his trial, he wouldn't seek a fourth term in office.
