Harrelson claimed that when the murder took place, he was in Dallas, 270 miles away. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. The desire to give and serve others stems from a place of earnest compassion. To provide a humanitarian services campus of nonprofit organizations that offer hope, opportunity, and empowerment. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. Chagra was let out on bail and he disappeared. A lot of the early investigation went off on some tangents, and they rounded up some Bandidos, lawyer Campion said. Mr. Harrelson also said that Mr. Kay had $135,000 to $150,000 delivered to him as part of the ''scam.'' In 2006, he did some videotaped interviews with Las Vegas journalist Jack Sheehan. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. The trial for Jimmy Chagra, meanwhile, was moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and his lawyer, former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, dealt the government a defeat. Judge Wood, known as "maximum John" because of the heavy sentences he had imposed on drug dealers, had presided over the pretrial hearing of Jamiel Chagra, denying 20 defense motions. Woody Harrelson funded his fathers appeals, enlisting the aid of controversial The Chagras were known as key members of a so-called Dixie Mafia, heavily involved in drug smuggling. Judge Sessions gave Chagra only 10 additional years on his sentence, making him eligible for parole in 2007. Space-X continues to reach for the stars. We're not a hand-out place; we're a hand-up place.". Jamiel Chagra: guilty of conspiracy to obstruct justice, drug charges, and tax evasion. Agents searched the El Paso homes of the Chagra family. CHAGRA: LIFE IN LAS VEGAS ANDMARIJUANA KINGPIN. "It's a safe wonderful environment for all those charities to be located in. ." Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce after 22 years of "Three Are Found Guilty of Assassination of Federal Judge." Jo Ann Harrelson, whose daughter has been imprisoned more than three months for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury, walked away from the federal courthouse in San Antonio without being held in contempt. He enjoyed a high-rolling lifestyle at Caesars Palace and Binions Horseshoe but he was not a very good gambler. To those of us who knew the situation, Jimmys assertion that Joe made him do it was ludicrous, but it fit neatly into the governments scenario. ', Jahn, who has spearheaded the prosecutions resulting from the Wood investigation, said, 'I'm a firm believer in the system and I'm in full agreement with the verdicts reached today.'. Jo Ann Harrelson convicted of perjury - UPI Archives 10- 6-1982 (L-R ) Leroy Jahn and Ray Jahn prosecutors in trial for muder of John H. Wood Jr. San Antonio Express-News file photo, JOSE BARRERA, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. But he had some luck when the prosecutors decided to put criminal Jerry Ray James on the stand to testify against Chagra. A day after talking to Harrelson, Joe relayed what had been said about the Wood killing to his arrogant and tempestuous brother, who was furious. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Throughout, Charles Voyde Harrelson, the man convicted of killing the judge May 29, 1979, with a single shot in the back from a highpowered rifle, appeared at ease, leaning back in his chair and offering the jury faint smiles. Jamiel Chagra was acquitted of murder and conspiracy to murder but convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy to possess marijuana; he was later convicted of tax evasion. Midland was in the jurisdiction of U.S. District Judge John Wood, known as Maximum John for his tough prison sentences in drug cases. In an earlier trial, Mrs. Harrelson's husband, Charles Harrelson, was convicted of the 1979 assassination of U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr. in San Antonio, Texas, the only such killing of a sitting federal judge this century. At least 10 people have died in the wake of a severe weather system bringing fierce winds, damaging tornadoes and flash flooding to the U.S. South and Midwest. In a recent interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Joe Chagras widow, now known as Patty Chagra Russell, defended her husband, saying the prison recording showed that Jimmy Chagra was a bully toward her husband. It also resulted in a group of lawyers and businessmen bankrolling a $100,000 reward, which became instrumental in solving the case. See the article in its original context from. People walk by the Judge John H. Wood Jr. Federal Courthouse in 2017. She recovered quickly and later said she was fine. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Someone could have done a movie not only on the case, but on the people who got the reward.. Jo Ann Harrelson was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and later convicted of five counts of perjury. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. In his testimony, Mr. Harrelson said he was ''set up'' by George Edward (Pete) Kay, another gambler. See the article in its original context from. He lost millions at the craps tables as well as in gin rummy games and on golf courses. Probation can be given i, Charles Goodyear Discovers the Process for Creating Vulcanized Rubber, Charles I 16001649 King of Great Britain, Charles Jean Gustave Nicolas de la Valle Poussin, Charles Lyell Publishes The Principles of Geology (1830-33), in Which He Proposes the Actual Age of Earth to be Several Hundred Million Years, https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-magazines/charles-harrelson-trial-1982-83, John Francis Knapp And Joseph Jenkins Knapp Trials: 1830. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. In effect, he was being tried for murder, when he claimed that his only involvement was in a con-game to get the murder pay-off money for a killing performed by someone else. Because he was a model prisoner Joe ended up spending only six and a half years behind bars. By Wayne King, Special To the New York Times. They also argued, unsuccessfully, that incriminating recorded conversations should not have been allowed because they were covered by attorney-client privilege or by spousal privilege. Elizabeth Chagra died in prison of ovarian cancer in September 1997 at age 43. Our vision was to create a place that could put the charities together that were helping those who wanted to help themselves. Chagra went into the Witness Protection Program in Arizona, and remarried. March 2 (UPI) -- A Minnesota police officer came to the rescue of a raccoon he spotted running around with a jar stuck over its head. Harrelson, a card gambling felon and accused hit man with ties to organized crime, was the father of actor Woody Harrelson and met Jimmy Chagra in Vegas in 1979 after being paroled in an unrelated murder case. Joseph Chagra did not testify. Lee and Jimmy were gangsters, whereas Joe was just a kid who liked to snort coke and talk tough. A few days later they returned a not-guilty verdict to the murder charge. The gun rap seemed routine until Harrelson was arrested following a cocaine-induced standoff near Van Horn, at which time his motive became clear. The prosecution charged that Harrelson, who had earlier served five years before being paroled of a 15-year sentence for killing a man for a $2,000 fee, On May 29, 1979, Judge John H. Wood was killed in San Antonio, Texas, by a shot from a high-powered rifle to the back of the head. 10/19/1981 - Charles V. Harrelson, charged in the murder of U.S. District Judge John H. Wood, in court. "Foster Pantry moved on campus in May 2021 after joining the Harrelson Center initially as an Associate Partner in 2019. Jo Ann got a 25-year sentence. National Park Service: 'Never push a slower friend down' in a bear encounter, March 2 (UPI) -- The National Park Service offered some sage advice for park visitors who encounter bears: "Never push a slower friend down. But as his lawyer, Harrelson reasoned, anything Joe discovered about Woods murder would have to be kept confidential because of attorney-client privilege. The assassination came at the height of a Justice Department campaign to slow the flow of illicit drugs across the Mexican border. He said that Mr. Kay had bilked Jamiel Chagra by telling him that it was he, Charles Harrelson, who had shot the judge and should collect the $250,000 payoff. ", - Jim Everette, Harrelson Center Ex-Officio Board Member, We are all different parts, but part of the same body. Harrelson said that Kay had about $135,000 of the payoff money delivered to him by Elizabeth Chagra as part of the scam. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. It was a big deal to a lot of people, concurred lawyer Charles Campion, who defended Harrelsons wife, Jo Ann Harrelson, the woman who bought the murder weapon. March 3 (UPI) -- In a cost-saving move, retail giant Amazon announced Friday that it will delay construction on a planned second corporate headquarters dubbed "HQ2" in Arlington, Va. President Joe Biden thanks German chancellor for his nation's help in Ukraine. As of mid-2001, the appeal remained postponed. The only other person in the world who knew that Harrelson did the hit on Judge Wood was Jimmy, who ordered it. The bug picked up Chagra talking with his wife and brother Joe about the judges murder. It was greed, the prosecution maintained, that had sent Mr. Harrelson, who had already spent 15 years in prison for killing a man for a $2,000 fee, to Las Vegas a month before, looking for Jamiel Chagra. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Chagra and his wife, Liz, and young daughter relocated to Las Vegas in 1978 and moved into a house across the street from attorney Oscar Goodman. Jo Ann Harrelson was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and later convicted of five counts of perjury. The defense sought a change of venue, but the requests were denied. The Center works with its partners to meet the needs of the community in areas such as safe and affordable housing, education, employment, health care and family support. Find out more about his hitman father, Charles Harrelson, here. ", Cindy Moore,Quality Services Director, GHA Autism Supports, "The Center has been such a big part of our growth and development providing us with a solid home base and a network of valuable partners.". But they would have had leaves on them at the time of the murder, rendering the witness testimony not credible. He has said he is a key suspect in Wood's slaying on May 29, 1979. WebJo Ann Harrelson's in laws: All relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been compiled from data in the public domain. Anyone can read what you share. The case has prompted Mrs. Harrelson to attempt suicide and caused her to temporarily disown her two daughters for having affairs with Harrelson during their marriage. Charles Harrelson's great grandfather was, Charles Harrelson's great grandmother was, Charles Harrelson's great great grandfather was, Charles Harrelson's great great grandmother is, Charles Harrelson's great great grandmother was, Charles Harrelson's 3x great grandfather was, Charles Harrelson's 3x great grandmother was, Charles Harrelson's former father in law was, Charles Harrelson's former mother in law was, Charles Harrelson's former grandfather in law was, Charles Harrelson's former grandmother in law was, Charles Harrelson's former daughter in law is, Jo Ann Harrelson's step-mother in law was, Jo Ann Harrelson's grandfather in law was, Jo Ann Harrelson's grandmother in law was, Jo Ann Harrelson's husband Charles Harrelson's aunt in law was, Jo Ann Harrelson's husband Charles Harrelson's uncle in law was. She was previously convicted of using a All but Jimmy live in El Paso. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. Jo Ann Starr Harrelson: conspiracy to obstruct justice. Once he paid off a cocktail waitress $50,000 mortgage when he heard she was raising three kids on her own. He was serving a 30-year sentence there that he received on the drug charge that was to be tried before Judge Wood. In the 1970s, Jimmy Chagra was the marijuana kingpin of the Western world. Charles Harrelson arrives at Federal Court 11-8-82 for his trial in the slaying of federal judge Wood. USAA wants some remote employees in the office three days Jury takes an hour to reach verdict over deal at Port S.A. Texas Vista owner has threatened hospital shutdown before, Rosie Castros appointment much more than a 3-month council stint, Access to Bexar County Courthouse just got easier, Man and adult stepdaughter accused of sexual assault on children, Man suspected of serial arson in far south Bexar County area. Because Joe was simultaneously representing Jimmy, who was serving thirty years without parole on a drug charge at the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, Harrelson had to assume that sooner or later Joe would learn the truth. Russian defense minister visits front lines as Ukraine's hold on Bakhmut slips. Harrelson).'. SIGNIFICANCE: Charles Harrelson was convicted for a hit-man killing of Judge John H. Wood, the only federal judge to be assassinated in the twentieth century. Though he was strung out on coke, Joe had by this point become the nominal head of the Chagra family, meaning it was his responsibility to visit Jimmy, who whined constantly and seemed to think the mess his life had become was Joes fault. March 4 (UPI) -- Roel Degamo, the governor of the Philippines province of Negros Oriental, was assassinated and five others also died Saturday in an attack by gunmen, officials said. Having these additional resources in the same building for our families, as well as having the support of the Harrelson Center staff allows us to continue to ease the transitions of our local foster children. Jimmy Chagra broached the matter again in early May 1979 as the brothers walked on the lawn of Jimmys Las Vegas home, Joe Chagra testified. Joes testimony put Harrelson in prison for life; ironically, in his separate trial, Jimmy was acquitted, thanks largely to Joes unwillingness to testify against him. There was a lot of internal pressure.. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. By the time the trial came around in 1983, Jimmy Chagras case had been severed from his co-defendants and Joe Chagra had taken a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to murder Wood. You know Harrelson knocked off the judge, Jimmy told him. He was sentenced to life in prison. Whether they are seeking financial help, spiritual help, whether they are looking for a job, clothing, food or encouragement, a listening ear or someone to help build them up, people can come here because it is not only in the heart of Wilmington but IS the heart of Wilmington. New York Times (December 15, 1982). It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, the kind of drama that usually took place only in an episode of Perry Mason, John L. Smith wrote. The first giraffe in San Antonio was part of a traveling circus that stopped here in 1901. The next morning, May 29, using a high-powered rifle fitted with a scope, that man fired a shot that would be heard around the world. His son, Joseph Jr., said Mr. Chagra's death was caused by injuries from an automobile accident on Dec. 6 that also killed two passengers. Daniel's 5th outing as Bond gets bums back on seats in the cinema. The jury started deliberating on Feb. 3, 1983. Harrelson is drowning in a sea of evidence and she realizes it,' assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Jahn told jurors before the verdict Monday. Mr. Chagra was a pivotal figure in a dramatic 1979 murder case, and his testimony helped convict Charles Voyde Harrelson, the father of the actor Woody Harrelson, of killing Judge John H. Wood Jr., an enemy of drug traffickers. Jamiel Chagra: 15 years and $120,000 fine. Our incoming donations used to be 70% used items. Florida woman runs ultra-marathon distances for 23 consecutive days. When the government offered to try Jimmy separately in its desperation to nail Harrelson, Joe found himself in a predicament. At the end of the hearing, Jamiel turned to his brother and attorney, Joseph Chagra, and said he would never have a fair trial. Charles and Jo Ann Harrelson and Liz Chagra were convicted at trial. The 5th U.S. This is not a happy story for anybody. By that time the FBI investigation into the judges assassination was more than two years old. "I truly appreciate the way you assisted me. Time (October 25, 1982). ", -Stacy Pullen, Executive Director, Foster Pantry, Since moving to the Harrelson Center, "Instead of a family going all over town to receive different services, we can walk them to another agency down the hall to help them with anything they may need. Thank you for helping me and our community. Ive published three articles in this magazine about Wood and the Chagras, but Ive never written all I knowuntil now. She said she had not believed him. Elizabeth Chagra: guilty of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to obstruct justice, tax evasion, conspiracy conviction overturned February 15, 1985, on appealSentences: Charles Harrelson: two life sentences plus five years. To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores. Mr. Harrelson said Mr. Kay borrowed the car some days before the killing, but that he had it back and was in Dallas on the day of the killing. 23 Feb. 2023 . Mr. Harrelson's wife, Jo Ann, was found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct justice, the only charge against her in this case. Judge Wood hated my brother Lee so much that he wanted a Chagra any way he could get him, Chagra said, according to a clip of the interviews posted on the internet. Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. They tortured her for no (reason). The Center provides its nonprofit partners social and educational opportunities, marketing and promotions, volunteer recruitment and a place of collaboration for them to help those in need in our community. Sessions, who ordered a majority of the contempt hearing closed to the public, said during an interview with the news media in his chambers that Mrs. Harrelson's claim of marital privilege was the reason forpartial dismissal of the government's request. The casinos loved him, of course, and their dealers loved him, too, because he was a big tipper. Wood was called 'Maximum John' for his tough sentencing policies. He asked if he should have Judge Wood killed. "Charles Harrelson Trial: 1982-83 March 4 (UPI) -- At least 15 people were killed and searchers combed a section ofthe Indonesian capital of Jakartafor survivors Saturday after a massive fire engulfed a fuel storage depot. They talked about assassinating Judge Wood. Anyone can read what you share. From online or printed Thursday, May 28: Oscar's "Case of the Century": The Life Reports suggest Prince Charles will live "in a flat above the shop" when he becomes king. A place where needs are met, dreams are fostered and hope abounds. Encyclopedia.com. The trial grew out of one of the largest FBI investigations in history, taking three years and over $5 million. On Express-News.com: Judge Sarah Garrahan-Moulder, who helped prosecute hit man Charles Harrelson in San Antonio, dies at 84. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. WebThe map led the feds to learn that the murder weapon had been purchased by Harrelsons wife, Jo Ann. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. In addition to his son and brother, Mr. Chagra is survived by his mother, Josephine, and two sisters, Samantha and Patsy. 'Mrs. In real life, it highlighted the criminal acts of those accused in Woods killing a drug lord, an actors father and some of their relatives. ''O.K., honey,'' Mrs. Chagra said she replied. The Chagras said they were convinced that Judge Wood, who was scheduled to preside over Jimmy's case, had a bias against them. Jimmy Chagra, who was facing numerous narcotics charges, would become a suspect in the killing. Dozens killed, injured as Jakarta fuel depot fire engulfs neighborhood. The citys first zoo featured animals from Texas and Mexico but no giraffe. I know, of course, that on the witness stand Joe testified that he counseled his brother Jimmy to order the hit, and I know he did time in federal prison. The verdicts concluded an 11-week trial that grew out of one of the most extensive Federal investigations in the nation's history, involving every one of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 54 offices in the United States at varying times over more than three years. He could have gone unnoticed for a long time, but he couldnt resist going to Las Vegas to see a cosmetic surgeon. Without his brother's testimony, Jamiel was acquitted of conspiracy to murder charges. Woody Harrelsons Dad: What To Know About His Hitman Father, What finally did Joe in was his inability to stand up to Jimmy. Through these collaborations, we have been able to extend our reach to help more families in our local community. The feds indicted Jimmy Chagra, Charles Harrelson, Joe Chagra, Liz Chagra and Jo Ann Harrelson in the judges murder. Jamiel Chagra's trial moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Then, in the eight years after his release, Joe stayed clean and became a health nut. A short time later, Joe was arrested and held without bail, as were Jo Ann Harrelson and Liz Chagra, Jimmys wife, who was heard on another wiretap talking about delivering the payoff money. Thats how one former friend described the convicted killer. When Chagras former drug-smuggling partner Henry Wallace turned and became a witness, the charges against Chagra were increased and he faced the prospect of life in prison without parole. Jimmy Chagra was released from federal prison in 2003 and entered the witness-protection program. . Instead, that day he was shot as he was leaving for court. In death as in life, El Paso crime family scion Joe Chagra is getting a bad rap. Joseph Chagra, a Texas lawyer who admitted his complicity in the first assassination of a Federal judge in more than a century, died last Sunday in Thomason Hospital in El Paso. In a plea agreement, Joe Chagra got a 10-year sentence. Joe accepted a ten-year plea bargain in the Wood conspiracy, with the understanding that prosecutors would help him recover his law license. Joe had no idea he was being pulled into the Wood conspiracyor even that there was a conspiracywhen Charles Harrelson hired him to represent him on an old gun charge in Harris County in February 1980. The visiting room was bugged to gather information from mobster Nick Civella, also a Goodman client. At least two grand juries have investigated the slaying for more than two years, and U.S. Attorney General William Webster last March said indictments were near, but no charges have been levied in the case. The case was unique in that the courts all the way up the line blessed the decisions below, Campion said of appeals that followed. British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. You cant imagine the shock when Jimmy Chagra was acquitted.. Former U.S. serviceman sentenced to 45 years for planning attack on fellow soldiers. March 3 (UPI) -- At a White House meeting on Friday, President Joe Biden thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's "profound" help in countering Russian aggression in Ukraine. Harrelson thought that was the day he had to kill the judge.. - Steve Spain, Executive Director, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. He agreed to testify against Mr. Harrelson and pleaded guilty to conspiracy in return for a 10-year prison sentence and relief from having to testify against Jimmy. 3 children killed, 2 hospitalized in North Texas domestic incident, 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'True Romance' actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61, Dozens killed, injured as Jakarta fuel depot fire engulfs neighborhood, Syndicated show 'Rachael Ray' wrapping 17-season run, Migrant woman dies after U.S. Coast Guard stops vessel carrying 54. But theres a postscript: I feel certain that the youngest of three brothers in El Pasos infamous Chagra crime family knew nothing about Woods murder until months after the fact. Mr. Chagra was one of three sons of a Lebanese rug merchant who had emigrated from Mexico to El Paso. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. 1985) Annotate this Case US Court of Appeals for the Chagra asked Harrelson if Wood could be bribed. Years later, the trial of Charles V. Harrelson revealed that Bill Bannister was a pseudonym Harrelson used to help track the judge, who was shot in the back outside his Alamo Heights townhome less than 2 miles from the motel as he was leaving for work.

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