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Jamiel 'Jimmy' Chagra | Drug kingpin, 63

Drug kingpin Jamiel Alexander "Jimmy" Chagra, 63, accused of leading a conspiracy to assassinate the federal judge set to preside over his trial, died Friday. He had cancer and was living in Mesa, Ariz.

Drug kingpin Jamiel Alexander "Jimmy" Chagra, 63, accused of leading a conspiracy to assassinate the federal judge set to preside over his trial, died Friday. He had cancer and was living in Mesa, Ariz.

U.S. District Judge John Wood Jr. was fatally shot on May 29, 1979, outside his San Antonio, Texas, home. Wood was known as "Maximum John" because of his tough sentencing of drug dealers. Chagra faced indictments on several narcotics conspiracy charges when Wood was killed.

Hit man Charles Harrelson, father of actor Woody Harrelson, was convicted of murder and died in prison last year while serving two life terms. Chagra was acquitted of most charges in Wood's death, but was convicted of obstructing the investigation and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He also pleaded guilty in a failed 1978 attempt on Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kerr and was sentenced to life. Three months after Wood's slaying, Chagra was convicted of masterminding an international drug-smuggling venture. He was sentenced to 30 years on drug charges and was freed on parole in 2003. - AP