Shortly after Harrelson was paroled in 1978, he and his then-wife, Jo Ann, were implicated in another murder. Wood was born on March 31, 1916, to a prominent pioneer Texas family in On May 29, 1979, Judge Wood was killed in San Antonio, by a shot from a high-powered rifle as he stood at the door of his automobile. Wood, known as "Maximum John" for his harsh sentencing of drug traffickers, was assassinated by Charles Harrelson in a contract killing placed by Texas drug lord Jamiel Chagra, who was awaiting trial before the judge. Wood died in 1979 when he was assassinated by … On May 29, 1979, U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr. was shot dead in the parking lot outside his San Antonio, Texas townhouse. Wood, known as "Maximum John" for his harsh sentencing of drug traffickers, was assassinated by John H. Wood Middle School, in San Antonio is named in his honor.This article is about the murdered judge. On May 29, 1979, Judge Wood was killed in San Antonio, by a shot from a high-powered rifle as he stood at the door of his automobile. Charles Harrelson was ultimately sentenced to two terms of life in prison. Wood was the first federal judge to have been killed during the 20th century.

John H. Wood Jr. was born on March 31, 1916 and died on May 29, 1979. 6 of 13 A portrait of Federal Judge John H. Wood, Jr. hangs at the Federal Courthouse, Monday, August 7, 2017. It is reported that he was paid $2000 for the assassination.

On May 29, 1979, Harrelson was apprehended with the aid of an anonymous tip and a tape recording of a conversation that occurred during a visit from Joe Chagra to his brother Jamiel Chagra in prison. Wood—nicknamed "Maximum John" because of his reputation for handing down long sentences for drug offenses—was originally scheduled to have Chagr… Wood's killing was the first assassination of a federal judgein the 20th ce…

He was struck in the small of the back and the bullet lodged near the upper part of his chest. In 2003, Chagra recanted his previous statements, stating that someone other than Harrelson had shot Judge Wood.In September 1980, Harrelson surrendered to police after a six-hour standoff in which he was reportedly high on cocaine.Joseph Chagra later testified during Harrelson's trial that Harrelson claimed to have shot Kennedy and drew maps to show where he was hiding during On July 4, 1995, Harrelson and two other inmates, Gary Settle and Michael Rivers, attempted to escape from the On March 15, 2007, Harrelson was found dead in his cell, having died at the age of 68 of a Allegations of involvement in the assassination of John F. KennedyAllegations of involvement in the assassination of John F. Kennedy"Judge declares mistrial in Edinburg murder case". Not long after being paroled for the murder of Sam Degelia, Charles Harrelson was again implicated in another murder, this time for the assassination of Judge John H. Wood Jr. U.S. District Court Judge John H. Wood Jr., known for the stern sentences he imposed on narcotics smugglers, was shot to death in the parking lot of a fashionable condominium complex here today. He was struck in the small of the back and the bullet lodged near the upper part of his chest.

For other people with similar names, see FBI: The Untold Stories - The Murder of Judge John Wood "my father is one of the most articulate, well-read, charming people I've ever known. Harrelson was convicted of killing Judge Wood after being hired by drug dealer Jamiel Chagra of El Paso, Texas. Most notably, he was convicted of the 1979 assassination of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. which was dubbed the “Crime of the Century” at the time, the Statesman reported in 2018. Harrelson claimed at trial that he did not kill Judge Wood, but merely took credit for it so he could claim a large payment from Chagra. John H. Wood Jr. would have been 63 years old at the time of death or 99 years old today. I look at him as someone who could be a friend more than someone who was a father. Still, I'm just now gauging whether he merits my loyalty or friendship. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but released after only 5 for good behavior. "Harrelson was tried for the 1968 murder-for-hire killing of Sam Degelia Jr., a resident of Shortly after Harrelson was paroled in 1978, he and his then-wife, Jo Ann, were implicated in another murder.