Hitting a Hitman

"Justice did not die "

When he was shot once in the back with a high-powered hunting rifle as he stood outside his San Antonio town house on the morning of May 29, 1979, U.S. District Court Judge John H. Wood Jr. became the only federal judge assassinated in this century. That single shot triggered one of the most extensive federal investigations and prosecutions in U.S. history. The three-year investigation cost $5 million. Last week the work paid off: after an eleven-week trial, a San Antonio jury found the Government's suspect, Charles Harrelson, 44, a twice-indicted and once-convicted contract murderer, guilty of killing Judge Wood. Harrelson faces a mandatory life sentence.

Convicted on other charges were Harrelson's wife Jo Ann and Elizabeth Chagra, the wife of Convicted Drug Smuggler Jamiel (Jimmy) Chagra. Just prior to Wood's death, Chagra was awaiting trial for narcotics dealing before Judge Wood, known as Maximum John for his stiff sentences. Chagra allegedly paid Harrelson $250,000 to do the killing. Now serving 30 years for drug trafficking, Chagra will be tried next month for murder and conspiracy.

Harrelson may not have seen his last of Texas courtrooms. He could be tried again for the murder in a state court, where conviction could lead to the death penalty. Said Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Jahn, the chief prosecutor: "When Judge Wood died, justice did not die."

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