Other Free Encyclopedias :: Law Library - American Law and Legal Information :: Great American Trials Vol 2 :: Charles Harrelson Trial: 1982-83 - Chagra Testifies For Prosecution, Harrelson Alleges Complicated Set-up, Verdicts And Convictions, Harrelson's Son Funds Appeal

Charles Harrelson Trial: 1982-83 - Harrelson's Son Funds Appeal

Woody Harrelson, the actor who played the part of the affable bartender in the television series Cheers, and also the lead in The People vs. Larmy Flynt, mounted an appeal in 1998, hiring famed criminal attorney Alan Dershowitz. However, after a game of pickup basketball between Woody and Fred Biery, the judge scheduled to hear the case, the judge disqualified himself and the case was continued to the year 2000, to be heard before Judge Orlando Garcia in Denver.

Among other points, Woody said that his father had spent only $7,000 on his defense, compared to the $5 to $10 million spent by the federal government in marshalling evidence. Further, most of the evidence and testimony against Charles Harrelson had been gathered from prisoners who were offered reduced sentences in exchange for implicating Harrelson. As of mid-2001, the appeal remained postponed.

—Rodney Carlisle

Suggestions for Further Reading

King, Wayne. "Three Are Found Guilty of Assassination of Federal Judge." New York Times (December 15, 1982).

"The Judge Wood Murder Case." Newsweek (June 22, 1981).

"Texas Sniper—The Charge: Murdering a Judge." Time (October 25, 1982).

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