NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Barry Denies 6 New Cocaine Use Charges

Mayor Marion Barry pleaded innocent to six added misdemeanor charges of using and conspiring to obtain cocaine. “I feel fantastic today. I got a great defense team,” Barry said after entering his plea. U.S. Atty. Jay B. Stephens and Barry’s lawyer, R. Kenneth Mundy, said they hoped to begin his trial June 4, but Mundy said the new charges--part of an overall, 14-count indictment--might make it difficult to start on time. The new charges allege that the mayor used cocaine as long ago as 1984. Barry earlier pleaded innocent to eight charges of lying to a federal grand jury and of possessing cocaine. The new charges add to his legal problems in the face of the Sept. 4 mayoral primary election.