Woody Harrelson’s Father: The Real Natural Born Killer

Woody Harrelson, the acclaimed Hollywood actor, has a dark family secret that has haunted him for years.

His father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, was not only a notorious hitman but also claimed to have ties to the CIA and involvement in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The story begins on May 29, 1979, when U.S. District Judge John Wood was shot and killed outside his home in San Antonio, Texas.

Known as “Maximum John” for his tough stance on drug dealers, Judge Wood's murder shocked the nation.

Witnesses reported seeing a gold-colored car speeding away from the scene.

Charles Voyde Harrelson, Woody's father, was eventually arrested and convicted for the murder after a two-year, $12 million FBI investigation.

Charles was a professional contract killer with a reputation for ruthlessness.

He even claimed to have shot JFK, referring to a human head as “just a watermelon with hair on it.”

Although it sounds like a plot from a Hollywood thriller, this story is all too real.

Charles Voyde Harrelson was indeed Woody Harrelson's father.

The actor, known for his roles in films like “Natural Born Killers” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” has always been tight-lipped about his father's crimes.

Despite his silence, Woody has been a staunch defender of his father, spending millions of dollars on legal fees in an attempt to secure a new trial for him.

He has insisted that Charles was innocent of killing Judge Wood and even claimed that his father was a secret CIA operative.

Woody's relationship with his father was complicated.

Charles left his wife and three sons when Woody was just seven years old.

The actor described his father as articulate, well-read, and charming, viewing him more as a friend than a father figure.

Charles Voyde Harrelson's criminal activities were not limited to the murder of Judge Wood.

He was involved in multiple murders and had connections to the Mafia and the corrupt Teamsters union.

He boasted about his exploits with Jack Ruby, the man who killed JFK's alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.

Charles's criminal career finally came to an end when he was captured in 1980 after a six-hour standoff with the police.

He was eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison but was released after five for good behavior.

The case against Charles Voyde Harrelson for the murder of Judge Wood was built on three key pieces of evidence.

A rifle stock, the same type used in the murder, was found in a swamp and traced back to his third wife.

Secret recordings revealed that Charles had received a $250,000 payment from drug-trafficker Jimmy Chagra, who prosecutors believed had hired him to kill Judge Wood.

Finally, an eyewitness claimed to have seen Charles acting suspiciously before the shooting.

However, a new podcast series called “Son Of A Hitman” challenges the prosecution's case against Charles Harrelson.

The podcast suggests that his defense lawyer made several errors, including relying on testimony obtained under hypnosis and illegally obtained secret recordings.

The podcast also raises doubts about the eyewitness testimony and presents information from an informant who claimed Charles was framed.

Ultimately, Charles Voyde Harrelson died in prison in 2007 at the age of 69.

Woody Harrelson's grim family connection has been brought back into the spotlight with the release of this podcast.

While Woody himself did not participate in the series, his two brothers spoke to the investigative journalist behind it.

The story of Woody Harrelson's father is one that continues to captivate the public's imagination.

It serves as a reminder of the dark side that can exist within even the most successful and talented individuals.