Marion Christopher Barry

Marion Christopher Barry (born June 17, 1980[1]) is the son of former Washington D.C. mayor, Marion Barry, and a candidate for Council member for Ward 8.[2]

Early life

Marion Christopher Barry is his father's only son, born to his third wife, Effi Slaughter Barry.[2] His father had wanted to name him Marion Barry III, but Effi was strongly opposed, and they decided to give him the middle name Christopher instead.[3]

He attended a private elementary school,[4] St. Albans School for Boys.[5] He was pulled from the school after teasing by his classmates about his father's problems with women and drugs.[6]

After his parents divorced, he moved to Hampton, Virginia, with his mother.[6] He later moved back to Washington, where he attended Woodrow Wilson High School, and the University of the District of Columbia.[7]

In 2015, he described his relationship with his father being "more like brothers than father and son.”[6] While his drug addiction grew, he felt his father was unsympathetic to his problems.[6] "Him having struggled with drugs, I would have wished he was there more. But he was more concerned about politics."[6] Marion says he is now sober with help from Jim Graham.[6]

Adult life

Barry owns a small construction business, Efficiency Contractors LLC, named in honor of his mother.[8][9]

2005

In 2005, three police officers reported to an apartment where there was loud music and smelled like marijuana.[10] Officers announced their presence several times and, after no response, they opened the door.[11] Barry was alone in the apartment, which belonged to a friend.[11] According to a court report, Barry swung at one of the police officers, placed the officer in a headlock, and punched the officer in the face several times.[10] The officers wrestled Barry to the ground while Barry repeatedly said, "Get out of my house."[10] Barry was arrested and charged with assault of a police officer.[10] In court, Barry plead guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge, acknowledging that he resisted arrest but denying punching or choking a police officer.[11] Barry's plea agreement with prosecutors required that he maintain a job, enroll in school, and not use drugs.[12] In 2006, Barry's drug test showed use of marijuana, resulting in a warning from a judge.[12]

2011

In 2011, police officers were flagged down by a individual who said there was fighting and screaming inside Barry's apartment.[13] Police officers reported to the apartment and announced their presence.[14] When Barry refused to open the door, police officers entered the apartment.[14] They found a half-ounce vial of liquid PCP and five sandwich bags of marijuana inside.[7][8] Barry jumped out of the first-floor apartment window and ran, leaving blood on the floor.[14] Barry later returned, and he was treated for a bleeding foot and arrested.[14] Barry admitted that he was “self-medicating” with the drugs, and he was sentenced to 18 months of probation.[8] The judge required Barry to undergo drug and grief counseling while on probation.[15] Barry said that his experience with drug use makes him more qualified to help others going through "rough times in life".[8]

2013

In August 2013, police officers in Hampton, Virginia, pulled over Barry's car for driving erratically.[16] According to court documents, police officers found marijuana on Barry and in the car.[16] Barry was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and possession of marijuana.[16]

2014

In May 2014, Barry was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a car without a license.[15] Later in the same month, Barry was arrested for failing to obey a police officer, and the judge suspended his driver's license.[15] Later that month, Barry was arrested for unlawful entry of a residence.[15] Two months later, Barry was arrested for driving with a suspended license.[15] In November 2014, Barry entered a plea deal to resolve charges related to two separate incidents in 2013 in which he was found to be driving on a revoked license.[2] In one instance, he was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.[2] He was sentenced to nine months of probation for those offenses.[2]

In his father's memorial service at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Barry memorialized his father, and he mentioned memories of a sometimes difficult relationship with him.[2] He introduced Louis Farrakhan, who in turn gave a blessing to the younger Barry.[2] "What a joy to hear his son speak the way his son spoke," Farrakhan said.[2]

2015

On January 13, 2015, Barry requested to withdraw $20,000 from bank account at PNC Bank.[17] A teller disapproved the withdrawal because Barry's bank account was overdrawn by $2,000.[6] Barry allegedly threatened the bank teller, saying, "I'm going to have someone waiting for you when you get off, you bitch," and destroyed a surveillance camera.[6] Barry was charged with simple assault, threats, and destruction of property.[18] On January 21, Barry appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges; he was ordered to stay away from the bank and the teller.[18] On Twitter, Barry apologized to his followers.[18][19][20] Prosecutors offered Barry a plea deal; the simple assault charge would be dropped if Barry were to plea guilty to the misdemeanor charges of attempted threats and destruction of property,[21] with up to 360 days of jail time.[22] Barry did not accept the plea deal.[22]

Asked about the event at PNC Bank, Barry said, "You have people sometimes that take advantage of their positions. I just think that when she sees the name 'Marion Barry,' she for some reason doesn't like me."[6] Thinking back to the event, Barry said, "I don't think I had realized how much I was still mourning."[6]

Campaign for Council Member

For most of his adult life, Barry went by his middle name, Christopher, but after his father's death started referring to himself as Marion.[2] On January 5, 2015, Barry announced that he would run for the Council of the District of Columbia representing Ward 8, which was vacant after the death of his father.[2] Barry will appear on the ballot as "Marion C. Barry."[2] He was endorsed by former mayoral candidate, Sulaimon Brown, and former DC Councilmember, Jim Graham. [23][24]

References

  1. ↑ Robinson, Eugene (June 18, 1980). "A Boy for the Barrys". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2015. (registration required (help)).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Davis, Aaron (January 5, 2015). "Marion Barry’s son will seek to fill father’s seat on D.C. Council". Washington Post. Retrieved 2015-01-31.
  3. ↑ West, Diana (July 5, 1990). "Effi: The private life of a political wife". The Washington Times. p. E1.
  4. ↑ "Despite Scandals, D.C. Mayor Expected to Be Released Early". The Philadelphia Inquirer. November 3, 1986. p. F2.
  5. ↑ Suderman, Alan (November 16, 2012). "Marion Barry's Selective Memory". Washington City Paper.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 Sommer, Will (April 23, 2015). "Up in the Heir: Ward 8 Picks Marion Barry's Successor". Washington City Paper.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Williams, Clarence (February 19, 2005). "Barry's Son in Police Custody". Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Noble, Andrea (January 5, 2015). "Marion Barry’s son announces bid for late father’s council seat". Washington Times. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  9. ↑ DeBonis, Mike (December 16, 2014). "Marion Barry’s son, and many others, contemplate filling his Ward 8 Council seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Mohammed, Valencia (February 26, 2005). "Marion C. Barry arrested". Afro-American Red Star (Washington, D.C.). p. A1.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Cauvin, Henri E. (April 6, 2005). "Barry's Son Pleads Guilty To Assault". The Washington Post. p. B3.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "District Briefing". The Washington Post. May 4, 2006. p. B4.
  13. ↑ Yoes, Sean (July 20, 2011). "Marion Barry's oldest son arrested on drug charges". Michigan Chronicle (Detroit, Michigan). p. A3.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Alexander, Keith L. (July 14, 2011). "Warrant issued for Barry son rescinded". The Washington Post. p. B5.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Alexander, Keith L. (August 1, 2014). "Christopher Barry, son of Marion Barry, jailed in D.C. for driving without license: D.C. councilmember's son Christopher Barry, 34, has been arrested four times since early May". The Washington Post.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Hermann, Peter (August 28, 2013). "Barry's son arrested on drug charge in Virginia". The Washington Post.
  17. ↑ Noble, Andrea (January 21, 2015). "Marion Barry’s son pleads not guilty in bank dustup". Washington Times.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Alexander, Keith (January 21, 2015). "Marion Barry's son charged with destruction of property". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  19. ↑ Barry, Marion C. (January 21, 2015). "I apologize to my Ward 8 community and my supporters for the incident that took place last week. (1/2)". Twitter.
  20. ↑ Barry, Marion C. (January 21, 2015). "I know that I have a great responsibility as a leader in Ward 8. I am committed to rise up and carry the torch in my father's legacy. (2/2)". Twitter.
  21. ↑ Alexander, Keith L.; DeBonis, Mike (February 13, 2015). "Prosecutors offer Marion Barry’s son a plea deal in bank assault case". Washington City Paper.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Sommer, Will (March 9, 2015). "Marion C. Barry Lets Plea Deal Offer Expire". Washington City Paper.
  23. ↑ Sommer, Will (April 16, 2015). "Sulaimon Brown Falls Out With Muriel Bowser, Makes His Endorsements". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2015-04-21.
  24. ↑ Sommer, Will (February 23, 2015). "Jim Graham Backs Marion C. Barry in Ward 8 Race". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2015-04-21.