7 months ago
WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Shortly after reports surfaced that the U.S. Attorney was choosing not to prosecute DC Councilman Marion Barry for stalking a recent girlfriend, the woman, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, met with reporters in her Southeast Washington home. She expressed regret about her romantic relationship with Barry.
"We were a dysfunctional pair," she said of her relationship with Barry.
Barry was charged on July 4th with stalking Watts-Brighthaupt after she told U.S. Park Police in Anacostia Park that Barry was "bothering" her. She said Barry was following the truck in which she and her former husband were riding and was flashing his lights at them before he pulled his car around their vehicle, leading to the encounter with U.S. Park Police that ended in his arrest.
"I'm glad this is all over. I never intended to pursue it. It wasn't me who brought these charges," Watts-Brighthaupt told reporters.
"The arrest of Mr. Barry should have never taken place," said Natalie Williams, Barry's spokesperson at a night press conference on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Barry has concerns about the way he was treated by U.S. Park Police, and will follow up, she said.
Watts-Brighthaupt says the relationship with Barry has damaged her. "I really regret I have lost the respect of my mother and other family members," she said.
"I hate that I may go down in history as one of many women he thinks he's defeated," she said.
