Search
Close this search box.
Ozzie News
Search
Close this search box.

On this day…in 1979

Outside his home in San Antonio, Texas, Judge John Wood, referred to as “Maximum John,” was assassinated while he leaned down to inspect a flat tire on his vehicle. After evidence indicated that drug lord Jimmy Chagra, whose trial was imminent before “Maximum John,” had provided $250,000 for the murder, Charles Harrelson, the actor Woody Harrelson’s father, was charged with the crime.

Charles Harrelson, father of actor Woody Harrelson

Concerned about the impending sentence from Judge Wood, Chagra allegedly plotted with his wife and brother to hire Harrelson for the assassination.

At the crime scene, shattered bullet fragments were linked to a .240 Wetherby Mark V rifle, a model recently acquired by Harrelson’s wife, Jo Ann. Having a history of a murder conviction from 1968, Harrelson was ultimately convicted and received two life sentences in prison. Jo Ann was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and perjury, but she was paroled after serving time. Woody Harrelson supported his father’s appeals, recruiting the services of renowned attorney Alan Dershowitz.

Charles Harrelson passed away at the age of 69 from a heart attack in his cell at Colorado’s Supermax federal prison on March 15, 2007.

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.