jo ann harrelson

As a matter of fact, when I got arrested, I thought I could buy Judge Wood off, and I tried through a family member by offering $5 million or $10 million. On Dec. 14, 1982, a Federal jury in San Antonio found Mr. Harrelson guilty of conspiracy to murder, murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The investigation cost more than $11 million, at the time the most extensive investigation in the bureaus history. Joseph Chagra pled guilty to the charge of conspiracy to commit murder and received a sentence of ten years. The prosecution produced no murder weapon or any eyewitnesses. By that time the FBI investigation into the judges assassination was more than two years old. Kathryn Wood, the widow of the slain judge, provided a five-page handwritten letter from Elizabeth Chagra, apologizing for her involvement in the murder. Without Joe Chagras testimony, Jimmy Chagra was acquitted of murder and conspiracy to murder but convicted of lesser obstruction of justice and drug charges. Bikers and other street toughs were dragged in on hold-over charges. Explore how the celebrity world connects. Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. People with hearts to serve and love to give.thats what you will find at the Harrelson Center. WebJo Ann Harrelson's in laws: All relationship and family history information shown on FameChain has been compiled from data in the public domain. Charles Harrelson under arrest in 1982 for the slaying of federal judge John Wood. He set up his family on a farm in Kansas. The trial for the Harrelsons and Elizabeth Chagra took place in the newly named John H. Wood Jr. courthouse over objections from defense lawyers. Jimmy Chagra, the high-stakes gambler who faced sentencing by Wood in a drug case shortly before the judge was killed, was cleared of conspiracy. 40 Days of Trial Testimony, In the course of 40 days of trial testimony from 130 witnesses and introduction of more than 300 exhibits, the Government developed what Mr. Jahn described in opening remarks and a closing argument as ''a story of fear, a story of greed and a story of murder. 'The hearing will continue when I hear further from the government or the witness (Mrs. She had then given the rifle to George Kay. ', 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.'. 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. ''O.K., honey,'' Mrs. Chagra said she replied. However, she testified that her husband had stalked into the house after a hearing with the judge and vowed, ''I'm going to kill him.''. In his testimony over more than five days on the witness stand, Mr. Harrelson said he had gone to lure Jamiel Chagra into a crooked card game. 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. The defendants were charged under Federal statutes governing the killing of a Federal employee. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harrelson said that Kay had about $135,000 of the payoff money delivered to him by Elizabeth Chagra as part of the scam. She was previously convicted of using a with Diane Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Diane Harrelson", "gender": "Female" }. The casinos loved him, of course, and their dealers loved him, too, because he was a big tipper. 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. The officer didnt recognize Chagra, but Chagra revealed himself by saying, I give up., CHAGRA: FROM THE COURTROOM TO PRISON TO NOT GUILTY TO DEATH. The Harrelson Center has provided us with affordable rent, a safe and comfortable space to host volunteers, board meetings and support groups, and a wonderful event space to host larger events. How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire. There was a lot of internal pressure.. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Joseph testified as well against his own sister-in-law Elizabeth Chagra, and Harrelson's wife, Jo Ann. Jamiel Chagra was tried separately, in Jacksonville, Florida and received a sentence of 15 years and was fined $120,000 on the charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice and conspiracy to possess marijuana. Jimmy was upset about that because he thought it put him under suspicion right away, Ray Jahn said. Charles Manson Trial: 1970-71 Goodman made a six-hour final argument without a break. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Judge Woods 1979 slaying by Charles Harrelson was crime of the century, San Antonio Zoo has a long but spotty history with giraffes. The trial is separate because Joseph Chagra, in exchange for a lighter sentence, made a deal with the Government to testify against all the defendants except his brother. 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. Kentucky man stops for breakfast, wins $50,000 lottery prize. The government has also won a conviction of Mrs. Harrelson for obstruction of justice and of Elizabeth Chagra, wife of another Las Vegas gambler, for conspiracy in the slaying. ", Missy Bennett, Executive Director, Operation Pretty Things, "The Harrelson Center really provides a unique opportunity to serve people holistically. Crimes Charged: First-degree murder an, Murder Noah Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Noah Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, Beckie Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Beckie Harrelson", "gender": "Female" }, Joel Sparks{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Joel Sparks", "gender": "Male" }, Lemma Sparks{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Lemma Sparks", "gender": "Female" }, Voyde Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Voyde Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, Alma Glover{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Alma Glover", "gender": "Female" }, Daisy Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Daisy Harrelson", "gender": "Female" }, Leonard Humphrey Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Leonard Humphrey Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, Claude Elegan Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Claude Elegan Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, Sybil Nunley{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Sybil Nunley", "gender": "Female" }, Edward Leon Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Leon Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, Woody Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Woody Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, with Diane Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Diane Harrelson", "gender": "Female" }, Jordan Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Jordan Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, Brett Harrelson{ "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Person", "name": "Brett Harrelson", "gender": "Male" }, born 1963, age 55 U.S. District Judge William Sessions did not schedule sentencing for Mrs. Harrelson, who was to be returned today to the Federal Correctional Institute in Fort Worth, Texas. Encyclopedia.com. Since much of the wiretapping was inadmissible in court, the government had a major problem with its case: The only witness who could connect Jimmy with Harrelson was Joe. Agents searched the El Paso homes of the Chagra family. Harrelson's jury found him guilty of murder of a federal employee, and he was also convicted on the charges of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice. The Chagras were known as key members of a so-called Dixie Mafia, heavily involved in drug smuggling. In the letter, Elizabeth relayed conversations about plans to kill Wood and told of her own delivery of the payoff money to Las Vegas. Thursday, May 28: Oscar's "Case of the Century": The Life Jo Ann Harrelson Family Tree & History, Ancestry & Genealogy 'Mrs. Jimmy Chagra was sentenced to 30 years for his original drug-trafficking charges, plus 10 years for the lesser charges he was convicted of when he was tried for the Wood murder. Joe Chagra testified that the first mention of having Wood murdered came in the judges courtroom in April 1979, after Jimmy Chagra lost a motion to remove Wood from his drug case. Chagra also was a prime suspect in the attempted murder of Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kerr of San Antonio. 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. Editor's note: This story originally published in a 2017 series honoring the 300th anniversary of San Antonio.A man named Bill Bannister registered at the Town House motel on Loop 410 on Memorial Day 1979. Mrs. Harrelson bought the rifle under a fictitious name, Fay King, or faking. 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. British bus driver stops to give loose sheep a lift. Mr. Harrelson also said that Mr. Kay had $135,000 to $150,000 delivered to him as part of the ''scam.'' Elizabeth Chagra: 30 years for conspiracy to murder, two concurrent five year sentences for obstruction of justice and tax evasion. Mrs. Chagra was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Firefighters hoist horse stranded in backyard swimming pool. 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. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, carrying a sentence of up to life in prison; murder of a Federal judge, mandatory life, and conspiracy to obstruct justice, up to five years. 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. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? If I'm not the expert in one area, I know already that somebody is within the Harrelson Center. Later, Chagra admitted to the judges murder and to the attempted murder of Kerr in an effort to free his wife from prison. ", Anne Best, Executive Director, Family Promise, The truest measure of love is revealed by how we respond to the needs of others. The Chagras said they were convinced that Judge Wood, who was scheduled to preside over Jimmy's case, had a bias against them. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? He also testified that Mr. Kay borrowed his car, a gold-colored Oldsmobile Cutlass, similar to one seen speeding from the judge's apartment complex the morning of the slaying. The jury found Chagra guilty. When the murder trial got underway in San Antonio, in exchange for a guilty plea to commit conspiracy to murder and a sentence of 10 years, Joseph Chagra testified against Harrelson, who he claimed was the hit man. ", Louise Hicks, Executive Director, Community In Schools of Cape Fear, "We are grateful for the resources and partners the Harrelson Center has introduced to us. Jo Ann Harrelson was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and later convicted of five counts of perjury. Chagra was once held by Colombian authorities after his drug-smuggling plane crashed there. Charles wife at the time, Joseph agreed that he should. Jo Ann Harrelson was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and later convicted of five counts of perjury. CHAGRA: LIFE IN LAS VEGAS ANDMARIJUANA KINGPIN. 3 children killed, 2 hospitalized in North Texas domestic incident. He called himself ''a card mechanic'' so talented with a deck that he could deal any hands requested around a table. On Christmas Eve 1978, two thugs robbed Lees law office and killed him. Chagra went into the Witness Protection Program in Arizona, and remarried. After 18 hours of deliberation, a Federal jury, several members in tears, found three defendants guilty today on six counts of planning, carrying out and trying to cover up the assassination of Federal District Judge John H. Wood Jr. After the collective verdicts were announced, each of the nine women and three men on the jury, which began deliberating Saturday, was polled individually on all six counts. The Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center Inc. is a North But it also spotlighted allegations that federal investigators and prosecutors treaded on constitutional rights such as attorney-client and marital privilege and the secret recording of private conversations. Jimmy's trial was scheduled to begin on the day the judge died. Good Fella Texas Monthly Donald asks the courts to let him tweet. Midland was in the jurisdiction of U.S. District Judge John Wood, known as Maximum John for his tough prison sentences in drug cases. Our incoming donations used to be 70% used items. In addition to the testimony of Joseph Chagra, the government had evidence drawn from more than 1,000 recorded telephone and face-to-face conversations, most of them involving Jamiel Chagra in various prisons. Guillermo has been with the Express-News for 20 years, and has covered federal court and its investigative agencies for most of that time. March 4 (UPI) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made a rare visit to frontline troops in Ukraine on Saturday as Kyiv's grip on the embattled city of Bakhmut appeared to be slipping. Wood died in 1979 when he was assassinated by Charles Harrelson. Defendants: Charles Voyde Harrelson, Jo Ann Starr Harrelson, Elizabeth Chagra, Jamiel ChagraCrimes Charged: Charles Harrelson: conspiracy to murder; murder of a federal judge; conspiracy to obstruct justice. - Steve Spain, Executive Director, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. However, U.S. District Judge William S. Sessions ordered the hearing continued at a later date, indicating Mrs. Harrelson still faces possible imprisonment. The UK's supply crisis puts extra pressure on Prime Minister Boris. Though he and his wife, Patty, divorced, they remained close. March 3 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Britain responded to a home to rescue a horse that had fallen into its owner's swimming pool and was unable to get itself out. The FBI hauled in just about anyone if agents believed that they had information, and the agency threw the book at them to make them talk. Meanwhile, the drug trial was held before Woods replacement, U.S. District Judge William Sessions. At one point in a rambling dialogue, Jimmy warned Joe that he was up to his neck in the murder plot. He was sentenced to life in prison. Joseph Chagra refused to testify against his own brother Jamiel (Jimmy), however. Charles Harrelson, arrives at the U.S. When the government offered to try Jimmy separately in its desperation to nail Harrelson, Joe found himself in a predicament. But in the interviews, Chagra described himself as a megalomaniac.. Yes, Chagra Russell continued. U.S. District Judge John H. Wood was assassinated in San Antonio May 29, 1979, by Charles Harrelson. 1985) Annotate this Case US Court of Appeals for the This synergistic environment allows all the nonprofits to operate more efficiently and better utilize their funding. ", 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.". Sessions gave Chagra 30 years on the drug charges, and he was sent to Leavenworth. At a subsequent trial, held in Florida because of the publicity in Texas, Jimmy Chagra was The bug picked up Chagra talking with his wife and brother Joe about the judges murder. "Three Are Found Guilty of Assassination of Federal Judge." Woody Harrelson's dad Charles Voyde Harrelson was a career criminal who died in prison while serving two life sentences for murdering a judge in a contract ", receiving assistance and guidance at Help Hub, "Being a partner of the Harrelson Center has allowed Soaring As Eagles to soar even higher than before. Elizabeth Chagra died in prison of ovarian cancer in September 1997 at age 43. It is believed to be correct at the time of inputting and is presented here in good faith. March 2 (UPI) -- A Maryland woman scored a $100,000 prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket less than 12 hours after she scored an $11,000 jackpot at a casino. Charles Harrelson was a master at creating alibis, screens and layers between him and his crimes, according to retired federal prosecutor Ray Jahn, who with his wife, LeRoy Jahn, prosecuted Harrelson and his co-defendants. Not wanting to put his family through a trial, Joe pleaded guilty to something he didnt do, Chagra Russell said. He was a cheat, he was a con man and he was a murderer. Harrelson was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus five years, while Jo Ann Harrelson got a combined 25 years for obstruction of justice. The case was unique in that the courts all the way up the line blessed the decisions below, Campion said of appeals that followed. Judge Wood denied any impropriety and refused to remove himself from the case. 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. WebJo Ann Harrelson and Elizabeth Chagra Arriving at Court. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. I work for a non-profit and it is encouraging to know when I refer clients to you that they will feel cared for and not judged. Joseph Chagra did not testify. Harrelson was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus five years, while Jo Ann Harrelson got a combined 25 years for obstruction of justice. Then-FBI Director William Webster dispatched dozens of agents to San Antonio for a massive investigation that resulted in Harrelson and four others being charged in connection with Woods assassination a killing still etched in the citys lore. They said no. The $450,000 they took from the office safe was money Jimmy owed to mob boss Joe Bonanno, Sr., for a busted drug deal.