Woody Harrelson Supports Dad

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/01/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Woody Harrelson appeared in a Denver courtroom yesterday, as a spectator. His father, Charles Harrelson, currently serving a life sentence in a federal prison for the 1979 murder of a Texas judge, is seeking a new trial in that case. "He's there to support his father," the elder Harrelson's attorney, David Michael, told Reuters about the actor's showing. Charles Harrison has made his request because, he claims, his defense at the time of his 1982 conviction was inadequate, and prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that might have aided him. Prosecutors say Harrelson was justly convicted of killing U.S. District Judge John Wood Jr. in a $250,000 contract murder. Woody Harrelson, 38, has told reporters that his father (who has a long criminal history) did not receive a fair trial. On Monday, the older Harrelson waved to his son from across the courtroom, but marshals kept them at length from one another.