Marion Barry, the scandal-plagued former mayor of Washington, D.C., has died at the age of 78.<br/> <br />Serving as DC mayor from 1979 until 1991, the civil rights activist was once considered one of the nation's most promising black politicians -- that was before serving jail time for smoking crack cocaine.<br/> <br />Soon after Washington's so-called "Mayor for Life" was back in the spotlight seeking another term in office.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARION BARRY, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Voters understand that everybody, in their lifetime, has trials and tribulations. I am a remarkable -- I had a remarkable recovery. Most people (inaudible) wouldn't be standing here, they'd be either dead, in a hospital, or feeling sorry for themselves."<br/> <br />The course of Barry's career changed on January 18, 1990. On that day hidden cameras captured the married mayor in a Washington hotel room with a younger ex-girlfriend, turned FBI informant where he is seen lighting up a crack pipe. FBI agents and police rushed
