A U.S. Park Police officer saw D.C. Council member Marion Barry’s vehicle driving erratically on the wrong side of the road, pulled him over and arrested him on a stalking charge, according to a police report.
Barry’s ex-girlfriend shouted at the officer from a passing car and claimed Barry was harassing her.
The three-page probable cause affidavit, obtained by radio station WTOP, attempts to explain why park police arrested Barry, 73, the evening of July 4 on stalking charges that were later dropped by federal prosecutors.
Park Police have come under criticism from some D.C. residents who claimed Barry was being singled out by an overzealous police department because he was black. Barry’s ex-girlfriend, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, said afterward that she never told police Barry was stalking her and she didn’t wave down the park police officer.
But, according to the police report, Watts-Brighthaupt was shouting that Barry was harassing her. The officer told the woman to go back to her car while he questioned Barry. The Ward 8 councilman said Watts-Brighthaupt’s ex-husband, who was in the car with her, was threatening him.
Watts-Brighthaupt told the officer that she didn’t want Barry to contact her and that he had left several threatening messages on her voicemail.
Some D.C. Council members are upset over Barry and the $60,000 contract he awarded to Watts-Brighthaupt. Two of his colleagues walked out of a news conference Friday that was called to formally announce an independent investigation into the former mayor.
At-large Councilman David Catania and Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh marched after Chairman Vincent Gray allowed Barry to declare his innocence to the gathered media throng. Catania was overheard saying, “I can’t take this,” before standing up and leaving.
“I left because it was degenerating into a press conference for Marion Barry, and I didn’t want to be a part of that,” Cheh said.
Before Friday’s news conference, the council gathered in a closed meeting. Council members were tight-lipped about the private conversation, but several confirmed that Barry apologized to them. He has indicated no desire or need to issue a public apology.
The council investigation will be conducted pro bono by Robert S. Bennett, a former federal prosecutor. His investigation will include whether the contract with Watts-Brighthaupt complied with District laws and council policy. Bennett will have subpoena power.
