Woody Harrelson, a renowned figure in Hollywood, rose to fame with his role in the iconic sitcom Cheers and went on to captivate audiences with his performances in movies like White Men Can’t Jump, Natural Born Killers, and the Hunger Games series.
On the flip side, Woody’s father, Charles Harrelson, gained notoriety for different reasons. Charles was convicted of two murders and acquitted of a third, creating a stark contrast to his son’s successful career.
In September 1980, Charles surrendered to authorities after a prolonged standoff, reportedly fueled by cocaine intoxication. During this tense event, he made alarming statements, including claims of assassinating Judge John H. Wood Jr. and President John F. Kennedy.
In a later interview, Charles admitted that his statements during the standoff were made to prolong his life, shedding light on his state of mind at the time.
Charles Harrelson was found guilty of the murder of Judge Wood, who was known for his tough sentencing on drug-related cases. The judge was shot outside his San Antonio townhouse, with suspicions pointing to Charles being hired by a drug dealer, Jamiel “Jimmy” Alexander Chagra, who faced severe consequences in Judge Wood’s court.
The tragic event marked the first assassination of a federal judge in over a century, implicating Charles Harrelson and his then-wife in the crime. Eventually, Charles’s criminal activities were brought to an end when he was arrested for firing a weapon under the influence of drugs, leading to his conviction and sentencing.
During his trial, Charles was linked to claims of involvement in President Kennedy’s assassination, although these allegations were not substantiated by the FBI. Speculations and theories surrounding Charles Harrelson’s connections to intelligence agencies and organized crime further fueled controversy around his past.
In a 1982 interview, Charles Harrelson expressed doubts about Lee Harvey Oswald acting alone in President Kennedy’s assassination, hinting at potential involvement by rogue entities within the U.S. government.