Jackson Urges Barry Not to Run Again

The Rev. Jesse Jackson urged Mayor Marion Barry on Wednesday to announce he will not seek a fourth term, saying such a public declaration could serve as powerful “leverage” in plea negotiations with U.S. Atty. Jay B. Stephens.

As jury selection in Barry’s perjury and drug trial entered its third day in U.S. District Court, Jackson said in an interview that the mayor seemed willing to “take a step off dead-center” and announce that he would abandon all plans for reelection.

“His candid declaration of his plans would be a major step toward further creating a climate for a settlement,” Jackson said. “Declaring he won’t run is stronger leverage. If he agrees not to be a part of the equation, then the question really is: Why then prosecution and persecution?”

Although Stephens has said that he is not interested in obtaining Barry’s removal from office--a resignation is “irrelevant” to the case, he said last week--an announcement by Barry that he would forgo a fourth term might give the mayor a bargaining chip in plea negotiations.