Barry Sentenced to Three Years of Probation

Cooke sought unsupervised probation for his client. Under that arrangement, Barry would not have to check in with a probation officer or submit to ongoing drug treatment, and he would undergo only minimal drug testing.

Cooke said Barry was late in filing the documents was because he could not easily find the money to hire an accountant and was barred, as a public official, from allowing his supporters to pay for such services or provide them free of charge.

"Mr. Barry's lack of vigor was not lack of interest or recalcitrance," Cooke said. "It was the reality of not having money."

Robinson, who had been visibly irritated with Barry when she postponed the sentencing hearing last month, did not reprimand him during yesterday's court proceeding.

She declined to impose a significant fine on Barry, citing the large amount he already owed in taxes and penalties.

After the hearing, Barry said that he was both thankful and grateful and that he believed Robinson "was under a lot of pressure to impose a jail sentence."

Those crowding the courtroom included son Christopher; Barry's companion, Chenille Spencer; his six-member council staff; local pastors; and other supporters.

Just as he had in February, Barry prayed outside the courthouse with his pastor, the Rev. Glen A. Staples of Temple of Praise, before the hearing began.

The Rev. Stephen Young, one of Barry's sponsors in recovery, also attended the hearing.

He said he calls Barry late at night or stops by unannounced in the wee hours of the morning to see whether he is using drugs.

"I may pop up at his house at 1, 2, 3 o'clock," Young said. "That's what you have to do to someone in recovery."