Charles Harrelson

Charles Harrelson
Charles Harrelson mug shot, May 1960
Born	Charles Voyde Harrelson (1938-07-23)July 23, 1938 Huntsville, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 15, 2007(2007-03-15) (aged 68) Florence ADMAX USP, Fremont County, Colorado, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation	Hitman
Criminal charge	Murder (August 12, 1973) and Murder (May 29, 1979)
Criminal penalty	15 years, 2 life sentences
Criminal status	Deceased
Spouse(s)	Nancy Hillman Harrelson, Jo Ann Harrelson, Diane Lou Oswald and Gina Adelle Foster
Children	Woody Harrelson, Brett Harrelson, Jordan Harrelson
Parent(s)	Voyde Harrelson and Alma Harrelson

Charles Voyde Harrelson (July 23, 1938 – March 15, 2007) was an American organized crime figure who was convicted of assassinating federal judge John H. Wood Jr., the first federal judge killed in the 20th century. He was the estranged father of actor Woody Harrelson.

Charles Harrelson was born on July 23, 1938, in Huntsville, Texas, the son of Alma Lee (née Sparks) and Voyde Harrelson. He was married to Nancy Hillman Harrelson, Jo Ann Harrelson, Diane Lou Oswald and Gina Adelle Foster. Harrelson worked as an encyclopedia salesman in California and as a professional gambler. In 1960, he was convicted of armed robbery.

Harrelson's son, Woody Harrelson (born July 23, 1961), became a well-known television and film actor. According to Woody, his father disappeared from the family's home in Houston in 1968, leaving his wife Diane to raise Woody and his two brothers. Woody lost track of his father until 1981, when news broke of Harrelson's arrest for the murder of Judge Wood. During an interview in November 1988, Woody revealed that he visited his father regularly in federal prison, though he still harbored mixed feelings for him, saying "my father is one of the most articulate, well-read, charming people I've ever known. Still, I'm just now gauging whether he merits my loyalty or friendship. I look at him as someone who could be a friend more than someone who was a father."

Defended by Percy Foreman, Harrelson was tried for the 1968 murder of Alan Harry Berg (no relation to the Denver talk radio DJ Alan Berg, later murdered by white supremacists). On September 22, 1970, he was acquitted by a jury in Angleton, Texas. The murder is chronicled in the memoir Run Brother Run by the victim's brother, David Berg.

Prior to Wood's murder, Harrelson was tried for the 1968 murder-for-hire killing of Sam Degelia Jr., a resident of Hearne, Texas. Harrelson was paid $2000 for the murder of Degelia, a grain dealer and father of four who was killed in McAllen, Texas. His first trial ended with a deadlocked jury, although Pete Scamardo was also tried in the case, found guilty of being an accomplice to the murder, and sentenced to seven years probation. Harrelson was retried in 1973, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. In 1978, after serving 5 years, he was released early for good behavior.