There is something about her face. Fifty years earlier she might have been photographed by Dorothea Lange. There are those faces that so clearly reflect the life lived.
I re-read the Chagra post. It is such a harrowing story-- all that blood shed and death. And at the center, this woman whose face is both beautiful and haunted.
Do you ever hear from her daughters?
I sometimes hear from Vivian's youngest daughter. I recently sent her some of the photos I have found of her and her mother. Some of them were new to her, and I think she was happy to have them.
Just happened upon your blog. I grew up in El Paso and now live in Pflugerville. Graduated from Austin High in '81. I remember all the talk about the Chagras. Poor Vivian-I think her story would make a great novel.
since i have only been visiting your blog for a month or so, i had not read that entry.
what a tale...strange how it is connected to woody harrelson. he has spent considerable time in this area, especially when the headwaters were threatened with logging.
she does have qite the face. how great that you and your wife took her daughters in. lucky girls, i am sure.
I went to High School in El Paso with Lees son, Lee Chagra junior. Lee senior and his clan were legends back then and influenced my decision to become a criminal defense lawyer. Lee Sr., represented to me, the possibility of being a well-paid and respected outlaw, a contradiction in terms.
I remember after Lee was killed, there was a huge banner draped over the balcony of his office that selled out "FREEDOM." I never understood why they chose that word. Perhaps, the freedom of not following the crowd and choosing to exercise one's ideals?
The whole family is larger than life, but unfortunatly, suffered more than most. I think that choosing to live a glamorous life on the fringes of the law will usually lead to retribution, of one sort or another.
I quit being a criminal defense lawyer after 10 years. It's a dangerous profession.
The lady in the photo also looks familiar. She was beautiful.
"Freedom" was Lee's personal motto. I vaguely remember Vivian saying he had the word inscribed on stuff. I won't pretend to know what the word meant to him, though I'd guess it was a genuine philosophical committment to the concept, plus, maybe, from Vivian's description of his personality, some authority issues getting expressed as well.
Do you know Lee Chagra's daughter Christine "Tina" Marie? I heard Lee Chagra Jr. is in jail too..what do you know?
Lee Jr. was in jail recently, he had been moved and scheduled for release a number of time, however, he misbehaved, caused some food fights or some such thing so his release was delayed.
It is obvious to me that none of you know anthing of the Chagra family. They were loving beautiful people and still are. Who the hell are any of you to judge? GOSSIP, nothing but!!!
I cannot think of anybody I would rather have a cold beer with....Viva Joe, Jimmy and Lee!!!
Jimmy is free and still as self centered as ever. I never knew Vivian or her story, but I feel she was fortunate to have survived her relationship with him, unlike his 2nd wife Elizabeth. He was my uncle by marriage and I had to sit by and watch my aunt die in prison all for the love of a man that did nothing but destroy lives with his selfishness and greed. Elizabeth also died on cancer in 1997. What sad irony that good people like Vivian, his brother Joe, and my aunt who endured the curse of loving a man like Jimmy left this world before their time and yet he is now free to live his life. Where is the justice in that?
I graduated with Jimmy and Joe and all I can say is that Joe was a wonderful guy. He is the real tragedy in all this. I wish his daughter Samantha and Son, Joseph are doing well. I wish his wife nothing but the best. Do you knowhow they are?
This is Tina Chagra none of you people knew my father he was an incredible father and a genuine man. I will only say that all of us will have to answer for all of our idol words! For those of you who spoke kind words thank you and God Bless you .
Jimmy was never found guilty of John Woods murder. He was sent to prison on drug charges. Everybody knows that Joe Chagra was a good man and a great father. Lee was a fantastic lawyer and a super father. That goes without saying. I hope that Tina and the Chagra family find peace. As far as the rest of us.....we could do well by living by Lee Chagra's Creedo.. "Freedom".....Baby! Viva El Paso and Joe, Lee and Jimmy.~Ernest.
Let me dumb this down for you....it does not matter what you think. Jimmy was not found guilty of having Judge Woods murdered. In my neck of the woods...Harrelson... might have been doing west Texas a big favor. The Chagra brothers will live on....like it or not. Those of us who choose to believe that the Chagra brothers had some redeeming qualities are free to think that. We have soldiers fighting in Iraq for that right! Yes, Lee Chagra is one of my heroes...so is Joe Chagra...and to some extent Jimmy. Respect that and live with it!!
anybody know what happened to jerry wilson the pilot that crashed in colombia and got busted in Ardmore?
anybody know what happened to jerry wilson the pilot that crashed in colombia and got busted in Ardmore?
"We were a good family, but the real downfall of our family was the money. You can't know what it does until it happens to you...until everyone is chin-deep in millions of dollars" Joe Chagra
To those of you who do not know the Chagra family, They are a wonderful and kind family. Do not judge someone you do not know. Tina, I never met your father, but growing up in El Paso, if have heard only the kindest stories about your dad. I know Joanna and I love her! She is truly an angel. Hope your family is doing well!!
A bunch of us went to Europe in "75" and I met Terry Chagra. She and I became pals. I got to know her briefly and her family. Tragedy struck after that and I lost track of her. They are a loving family and made me feel at home the few times I visited. I wish Lee had a different job description. He was very charasmatic and when he was killed, her light and bubbliness went out. I hope it came back and I wish her and her family well.
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I knew Joe Chagra when I was in grade school. This was before he was an attorney. He was actually my 6th grade teacher. Did anyone ever know he was a teacher before becoming an attorney? He taught 6th grade at Marion Manor Grade School in El Paso, Texas. He wasnt there long. Rumor had it that he was fired for reasons I never knew.
I was just wondering.... Did Joe Chagra finish the school year? I bet he was a very good teacher. What year was he at Marian Manor? Thanks.
The two posts I put up about the some of the Chagras were in the nature of personal reminiscences, and some of the remarks that have come in the comments have been, shall we say, off-topic, containing abusive views about Jimmy or Lee or others. Such comments have been removed, and will be in the future, along with assorted incoherent ravings in all-caps that occasionally crop up.
It's a free country, and anyone who wishes to set up their own blog to air mean-spirited opinion about the Chagras or anyone else is free to do so. But the comments here are not the place for that.
--Jim McCulloch, aka huitzil
A new comment has come in stating that it is "fact," not opinion, that "they" were very unsavory people. There are several problems with this, which I will try to explain.
First, my posts were not dealing either with fact or opinion, but rather were my own memories and reflections on certain individuals and how they were affected by a tragic situation. In this context, the factuality of whether Jimmy was guilty of Judge Wood's murder is not exactly an issue. As I said, anyone is free to start a blog and reveal the facts of the matter to a world breathlessly awaiting them. So I think I will continue to delete such "facts," in the interests of not preempting such news scoops. To put it in show biz terms, I don't want to step on your lines, hence, for the greater good of your eventual journalistic triumph, I will squelch their premature appearance in the world here.
Second, the tone of such remarks has been in many cases very uncivil. I prefer civility, hence I will remove uncivil remarks.
Third, the "they in this context is unclear, and may very well include people who simply have the last name Chagra. This is quite unfair, regardless of any factuality or lack of it about the crimes of Jimmy Chagra. Such vaguely couched remarks will be deleted.
I am sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings.
If you talk to Christa Chagra, tell her Kevin Leslie said hello.
This comment is directed to Tina Chagra. I worked for your Dad and Uncle Joe longer than anyone else - from 1967 (Joe was still in college) until 1976. I moved to Colorado in the summer of 1979. I have some funny, heart-warming stories about them that I would like to share with you, if would like to hear them. One is about the time I bought your Dad a Pet Rock for Christmas (you know how hard he was to buy a gift for), and about our heated, philosophical debate about which was better looking - an ugly face or a pretty foot. You can contact me at myalyssa10@yahoo.com if you like. If I don't hear from you, I will understand. Sometimes it's just too painful. Don't pay attention to the jerks with their derrogatory remarks - they don't know what they're talking about. I think of you and your sisters and brother often, and want only the best for each of you.
I first met Lee Chagra in late 1971. The story behind our meeting was incredible, but would take too much time to get into here. I eventually went to work for him in 1972. He was an unbelivable personality. I can assure he was a great man who I still look up to today. I was in Houston in 1978, spending Christmas alone. Lee invited me to come and share Christmas with him and his family. If, my memory serves me well, UT was playing North Carolina in the Sun Bowl on Christmas day and he was going to the game. Knowing I was a big UT fan, he wanted me to come to El Paso for the game. I did not go. I might have been with him in his office the night of his murder. I've always wondered why no law enforcement agency,spent much time or resources on who may have murdered Lee. I kinda think he may be free today...released from federal prison in 2003! My thoughts and prayers go out to Lee and Joe's family...they were both great men. Don't believe all the talk about there dirty dealings...they were good people.Not to say, they were saints, none of are. But they lived in a different day, than we live today. I never saw Lee ever hurt anyone knowingly. I only saw him work his ass off to help anyone that was honoured to have made his aquaintence. I believe there brother (Jimmy) put a dark blotch on the whole family name. Regards, FF
Tina, its the "traveler" running a business in Dallas. I heard years ago you and Leroy moved out hear, please contact me. My daughter Jenn is with me. I have missed you and tried a long time to find you.
Write or call kenbell101@yahoo.com
-8-891-0359
I'm not sure if it's true, so don't hold me to it but, I heard Tina passed away at the end of last year.
It's not true Tina is alive and living in El Paso. Her and Leroy split back in the late 90's. The years have NOT been good to her she never truly delt with everything that went down in her life. I hope someday she can find the peace she is seeking.
I ran across this and found the picture of Vivan lovely. I was at her wedding to Jimmy and knew the family well. I went to High School with Joe and grew up in El Paso. I always wondered what happened to her and I was saddened to hear of her cancer.
I have know many of the Syrian/Lebanese families of El Paso and found them all to be wonderful loving people.
That was a era that many will always remember, however it could have happened in any city to any family.
Thanks for your comment, Lee.
I've never met the Chagra Family, but I have heard alot about them and I truly believe they are a beautiful, loving and caring family. If everyone looks past all the bad that is said you all see the good. Love you all.
You never met them but you "believe they are a beautiful, loving and caring family" I wish I could read people I never met like that!
Hi,
I need to talk to terry. I hope she is well, My father was a partner with lee in many aspects and I hope she is coping and has moved on. I lost all my family and they should have a book written about them. You are born to your family you do not chose them. Then you have to deal with their trash.
TO ME "THEY" WERE UNCLE JIMMY, UNCLE JOE, AND UNCLE LEE. THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH NEED TO KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT. TINA, TERRI, LESLIE, JOANNA, AND LEADER WERE LIKE MY BIG SISTERS AND BROTHER. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE PROUD TO CALL THEM FAMILY AND I WILL TILL THE DAY I DIE. BECAUSE "THEY" HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN WHAT FAMILY IS.
Even though he was an S.O.B. Judge Woods had a family too!
Jimmy Chagra was arrested in 1978 on charges of trafficking marijuana. He was to appear before Judge Wood. Wood had a reputation for giving out the maximum sentence allowed for drug related crimes. Chagra faced a maximum life sentence without parole if convicted and a law clerk of the late judge told Joe Chagra, Jamiel's brother and attorney, that Judge Wood intended to give Chagra life without parole. Chagra allegedly attempted to bribe Judge Wood for $10,000,000. Facing life for smuggling pot, Jamiel Chagra decided to kill the judge.
I grew up in El Paso and went to school with the Chagra kids at Zach White elm.
I met Lee Chagra in a bathroon in Vegas back in the 70's. He had just lost almost 100 grand at craps. We did a line together and then he got two hookers and invited me up to his hotel room with them. We saw each other on and off for several years after that. I was sorry to hear how he died. I knew Jimmy too he was a bad seed. Lee was a GREAT lawyer but he had real demons!
Boys and Girls....Don't do drugs...Drugs are bad.
I'm way to young to know what it was like in the late 70's, But I know Joe Jr. and consider him one of my best friends. I know what it's like for him because I lost my dad also, and he is one of the nicest and well adjusted human beings I know. Alot of things can be said about the Chagras, but that the weren't good people is not one of them.
I believe my sister is Lee's daughter. She was born in 1964. My mother's friends talk about her being very close with Lee and then suddenly marrying another man and leaving town abruptly... several months later my sister was born. It's all a huge mystery and she does not talk about it much.
You did not mention Vivian's first husband and daughter, Cindy. My daughter and Cindy are half sisters as they have the same dad. My daughter dug deep and located Cindy last year but she seemed uninterested to continue the relationship with my daughter so Lisa (my daughter) just left it alone. I never knew Gracene personally, only thru stories my exhusband would tell me. But since reading your story about her, I find her life was very hard and sad. Too bad she never got to finish her book, it would have probably made for good reading.
Peggy, thanks for the comment. Cindy was considerably older than Kathy and Christa. We knew her in El Paso, but she was more or less out on her own by the time Vivian moved to Austin, and I am not sure what she is doing now. She was a nice kid, kind of quiet.
Jerry Wilson is president and founder of Soloflex exercise machines. Just wonder where he got the money to start his business
Isn't Jerry Wilson the same guy that used to fly drug planes to and from Columbia for Jimmy Chagra back in the 70's?
We moved to El Paso in 1961 and I lived there until 1985. I never met the Chagras, but often read about them. Is Don Johnson doing a movie about the Chagra brothers called Top of the World? http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/...-World/
overview
There is another 1997 Las Vegas movie with the same title, starring Dennis Hopper.
Just wondering.
What an amazing story. Aside from the Kennedys', I have never heard of so much tragedy in one family. I'm too young to have known the 3 senior Chagra's but wow would i love to hear stories. I just finished "Dirty Dealing" and even though there were alot of negative aspects, I was able to see the goodness in them as a family. It was just sad to see how everything spirals once money comes into the picture. Joe Chagra is right, I do believe they WERE a good family. But in some ways the word WERE doesn't do justice to the whole family since then. Would have been better to say that "we ARE a good family". Through the tragedies and hard times, it was always very evident that they stood by each other and that tells you ALOT about a person's character. I finished the book in 3 days but was left wanting to know more and more. I'm sure that's just the thing that this family is trying to elude, sorry. For what it is worth, in my eyes, i've not judged this book by it's cover.
The Chagra's caused their own tragedies? Unlike the Kennedys' they were not in service to their country!
I graduated from EPHS with Lee and JoAnn Abraham - I knew they had married, but that she had died from cancer while very young. That was after Lee was murdered. I wondered often if they had any children and what became of them.
You can't keep a good man down. Jimmy Chagra still haning in.
Link to above! www.lvrj.com/news/17138091.html
I am not a real blogger but feel the need to say something here.
I worked for Jimmy back in the seventies, went to prison and have paid my debt to society and continue to pay.Lets say I`m a taxpaying ,law abiding citizen for over 25 yrs now. Besides Jimmy, I knew Lee and Joe.
When you look at the whole picture, please take into account there were people in the federal gov. ,local gov. political figures etc who gladly took money to ensure that odds of getting caught were negated, slim or just plain low.The goverment would tell you that these were a few bad apples in the scope of things.If you buy that, I can ownly tell you that I know of just one local sherrif from N.C who actually did some time and that was at Elgin Air Force Base, I believe.
So those who point a finger or cast stones,first tell me you never smoked pot,know the true facts and not just the propaganda all over the internet and would be willing to hold ALL to account before passing judgment on the Chagra family.I can tell you with certainty that there was more than one time, Jerry Wilson ( SOLOFLEX founder)opened the door of a plane after he landed it, shook my hand and then proceeded to help me throw bales off his plane.I don`t recall him doing any time for his deeds.( Thanks to Lee Chagra at a trial for a incident at Ardemore OK.)
I end with a question.Can the war on drugs be won if the players I mention above are implicated?
Judge Wood wouldn't take Jimmy Chagra's dirty money and look where it got him.
We all know there are bad cops,agents,and gov.officials but that is no excuse for breaking the law!
Jimmy Chagra was found not guilty of killing the judge. He served his time for drug charges. In USA, NOT GUILTY means NOT GUILTY! You can read all the propaganda you want but you might need to talk to the jury that came up with that verdict.
Hello Christa. I have lost my numbers for cindy. If you read this give email me at gaila@bulloch.net. My brother was Vivian's first husband. I was very young but I remember her as being a beautiful red head. When Cindy was born she was also a real beauty. Our family lost touch when she left my brother and moved back to Texas and married Chagra. I am very intrigued and somewhat disturbed by the life Cindy led.
Seeker, I have deleted your comment. I will restore it when and if you re-submit it under your own name, preferably with some documentation to provide substance to your, well, opinions. As it stood it amounted to anonymous slander of both the dead (who could care less), and of several living people, who deserve the option of contesting whatever claims you might choose to make in the light of day.
Hey Jim...whatever. Keep sticking up for criminals. How much do the Chagra's pay you to run this site and turn them into morden day folk heroes?
Dirty Dealing, a true story, chronicles the rise and fall of the house of Chagra. The Chagra brothers of El Paso were pioneers in smuggling drugs across the Mexican border, and were infamous for their fabulous wealth. But in the end Lee Chagra was gunned down, a federal judge was assassinated, Jimmy and Joe Chagra were imprisoned, and Charles Harrelson (Woody Harrelson’s father) was convicted for Wood’s murder.
When Federal Judge John "Maximum" Wood was gunned down outside his home in San Antonio, Texas in 1979 (the only assassination of a federal judge in more than 100 years) his death sent waves of shock across the country. The FBI labeled it "the crime of the century." Former President Nixon expressed "outrage," calling for quick arrest and punishment. But the crime’s solution would be anything but quick. Dragging on for years and costing $11.4 million, the investigation turned out to be the largest in recent FBI history, surpassing even that of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Gary Cartwright, senior editor of Texas Monthly and author of several nonfiction bestsellers, details the full history of the events leading up to this crime and the trials that followed in Dirty Dealing. This reprint from Cinco Puntos Press includes a new afterword by the author and black and white photographs of all the players. Complete with shady maneuverings on the part of the federal government and an outcome that Kirkus Reviews has called "straight from Oz," Dirty Dealing is one of the richest and most fascinating of all true crime stories.
"We were a good family—that's what people forget," Joe Chagra said, "It was the money. You can't know what it does until it happens to you...until everyone is chin-deep in millions of dollars."
Rather than quote the blurb, why don't you read the book?
I read the book and am still perplexed. I did not know any of this until I researched and found my neice cindy. She was Vivian's first born child. She was apparently adopted by Chagra. I am still searching for her. My brother, Vivians first husband and Cindys father died 5 years ago and I desperately want to connect with Cindy. This is all a nightmare life to me since I life a simple but wonderful life in Georgia. i do not understand this drama>
Gail
***BREAKING NEWS***
Jimmy Chagra dead.
Remember you heard it here first!
I personally knew Lee, Joe, Jimmy, their wives, their children, their mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, hence the entire family. Lee was one of a kind. An absolutely wonderful man. I to this day still miss him. I clerked for his brother in law, Sib Abraham another stellar of a attorney, human being. These people were and are incredible human beings. If you would know the entire story, it would humble you. My heart goes out to Pasty, having to bury her last brother. GOD Bless you, sunshine. I know what I am talking about, because I (and I say this proudly), know this ‘clan’ as some of you call them and believe I am a better person because of my life crossing theirs. My thoughts and prayers are with you Pasty and your entire family. Take care of yourself.
Iam Vivian Chagra sister,Iknew the whole family. They were larger than life with flaws and talents and love.
With the exception of Patsy the only thing that keeps her from being ordinary is her vanity.
The children are suffering today, but they are the ones with the stories.
When Cathy is able her story needs to be told.
I know this family and Patsy is one of the most giving honorable women I have ever met. She is the pilar of the family and the last of the the Chagra family. God bless Patsy for keeping the family together and guiding the siblings throught tuff times and good times. May Jimmy rest in peace.
Sergo you were not allowed in the Madi Grai club at the Sherton without bridding the hostess, you worked for Jimmy at the carpet store and he treated you like shit.
Patsy does not know you are give a shit about you. Talk to some fool that is eat up with this and does not remember.I DO
Jimmy, Rest In Peace , brother. And to his family , my sincere condolences. May you have some peace now.
JIMMY CHAGRA
Only in Las Vegas.
The death of one of the biggest drug dealers in American history, who arranged the murder of a federal judge, is being met with tears. Why? Because he was a GREAT tipper and a degenerate gambler.
Jimmy Chagra was known as one of the most prolific pot dealers ever. The saying goes if you smoked marijuana in the 60’s or 70’s, chances are you got it from Jimmy Chagra. Chagra was the “undisputed marijuana kingpin of the Western world.”
When Chagra was eventually nailed by the Feds he had over $100 million dollars in foreign accounts. The government took it all. Las Vegas casinos loved Chagra because he laundered that money through them.
Chagra was known as one of the biggest high rollers in Las Vegas history. He often lost millions of dollars (of drug money) in a single night. Chagra may also have been one of the most generous tippers in Las Vegas history. He was such an extravagent tipper that journalist George Knapp tells the story of how the card dealers at Caesar’s Palace once bought Chagra a giant trophy in honor of the “gargantuan” tips the drug kingpin left.
One of the most interesting aspects of Chagra’s death was his connection to Charles Harrelson. Harrelson was the father of actor Woody Harrelson and known as one of the most famous hitmen and murderers in American history. He was convicted of killing federal judge “Maximum John” Wood. Harrelson once confessed to having a role in the Kennedy assassination (which he later recanted.) Conspiracy theorists have said Harrelson was one of the “Three Tramps” hiding in a box car on the railroad tracks behind Dealey Plaza just after Kennedy’s shooting.
Charles Harrelson died in the federal Supermax prison while serving a life sentence. Chagra, who confessed to hiring Harrelson to kill Wood, was acquitted of murder charges after hiring defense attorney Oscar Goodman. Goodman is now the mayor of Las Vegas. In later years Chagra tried denying hiring Harrelson. The fact is Chagra’s wife was arrested delivering $250,000 to him. Chagra was also on tape talking about hiring Harrelson for the hit while he was in prison (a tape Goodman got thrown out of court.)
Liz Chagra was a beautiful woman. It is too bad that she had to die in prison. I met her in Lexington at the prison where I was a law clerk. At that time she was seeking a way to get release after learning in California that she had cancer. It seems tjat tragedy followed all connected to them, like the daughter of Joanne HArrelson who disappeared. Joanne was at Lexington as well. He health was poor. Has anyone heard anything about her? She was a nice prson as well.
Liz Chagra did not die in prison but rather in a hospital under guard..with ovarian cancer
My husband Jimmy died July 25th and this is the first time I have actually looked on line what people had to say about him and his family. I only new the caring, gentle man that came out of prison. He was an awesome husband and I miss him dearly. He always made me feel loved, safe, and good about myself. Jimmy was my life. His children are wonderful and now we mourn the loss of his youngest son Justin. I will miss them forever.
Lynda Chagra
I am glad to have found this site. My father was Bobby Williams and I remember the Chagra,s name in our house when I was younger. Did any one know him. I had just met my dad a few years before his death in Houston in 1978.
I am aware of my dads background and am still proud to have known him , much as the friends of the Chagra family have spoken on this site.
Just a chance to see if anyone knew my dad, I would like to learn more about him...
Sincerely
Page Williams
I never met any of the Chagras, but I am sure they have/had their flaws like the rest of us. But I am pretty sure that Lee, Jr. was in the federal pen in Big Spring, TX. early in 2003 when my son-in-law arrived there. If it was him, I just want to say how grateful I am to him for taking my son-in-law under his wing. He was just a kid and had never been in trouble before. It was a weapons charge and a good warning would have scared him straight. I'm not saying that he didn't break the law, just that a kid wanting to shoot an unusual weapon out on the ranch is not the same thing as robbing someone or shooting somebody. Anyway, a lot of bad things could have happened to him if it hadn't been for Lee. And I really appreciate it. I hope he's out by now. If any of you have contact with him, please let him know that Neal is in school and doing very well.
Looking for Leslie Ann who still holds a special place in my heart.
JTR Sunny South Florida
All in all, they created a great story at the cost of their families and own lives.
Hi Jim how are you? I just decided that I had to say something here. Other than how much I love and miss Kay almost as much as my own mother I am so heartbroken over my fathers death.People can say what they want,but anyone who can draw out so much love from people like me and his wife,Linda,must be pretty special.Good, even great people do very bad things sometimes.I am sorking very hard in telling OUR story, the childrens story,and despite it all i am still proud to be his daughter. The only real disgrace to our family is Patsy but that will all be told in my book.
Hi Jim how are you? I just decided that I had to say something here. Other than how much I love and miss Kay almost as much as my own mother I am so heartbroken over my fathers death.People can say what they want,but anyone who can draw out so much love from people like me and his wife,Linda,must be pretty special.Good, even great people do very bad things sometimes.I am working very hard in telling OUR story, the childrens story,and despite it all i am still proud to be his daughter. The only real disgrace to our family is Patsy but that will all be told in my book.
Hi, Cathy. Thanks for your comments. It's good to hear from you, and I hope you are doing well. Christa came to our Thanksgiving last year and seemed to enjoy hanging out with Anna and our other guests, and it was certainly a pleasure to me to see her and talk to her. I didn't know you were writing a book--I look forward to it.
--Jim
I had the honor of spending 2 years with Jimmy after his release. He was his own man. He had good points and bad ones. But I can tell you I was almost always on his side. Rest in Peace Jimmy.
Ask Judge Wood's family about his good points see what they say. You guys are still trying to turn a bunch of criminals into modern day folk heros.
I'm sure Judge Wood's family would agree with you, but they didn't know Jimmy either. They knew the one act that will for better or worse define him. I won't argue the point.
I will counter by saying that you would get a much different answer if you ask my children what they think of Jimmy. They loved him like a grandfather.
Like I said, Jimmy had his good points and bad. He's dead now, people can stop beating on him.
Hey Cathy. I would love to have your contact info. Email me at jharris352@gmail.com. I'm sure you remember me.
Seeker, why do you care so much? You are obviously the kind of person who gets off on judging other people(without even knowing them, I may add) instead of looking at yourself, Im sure youre not perfect either!Everyones family endures the pain of losing someone, its how you deal with it that matters.Look into your own heart, instead of being hateful to others.
I find the whole story of the Chagras fascinating. I spent my young years in El Paso while my dad was stationed at Ft Bliss. We moved away in 1966. I wanted to see what had happened to the people I went to school with, so I googled a few names. One was of my fourth grade teacher, Miss Chagra, at Our Lady of the Assumption grade school. She turns out to be Patsy Chagra, sister of Lee, Joe and Jimmy. Another schoolmate name was Patti Avritt, from Magoffin Jr High, and she was at one time married to Joe Chagra. Talk about six degrees of separation... I have read the book "Dirty Dealing" and this confirms that my Miss Chagra was Patsy. I remember that she came to school one day as Mrs De La Torre, then left to have a baby. She visited our classroom one more time to show us her baby. I remember her as being dark and very pretty.
I am very glad to have stumbled upon this fascinating story. I will keep following for new developments...
Cathy I care about the truth and by the way not every family is like yours! It's a free country feel free to rewrite the truth.
It's like Joe said all the greed and money caused all of the Chagra's problems.
RIP Judge Wood...He was just doing his job.
Seeker, this thread is interesting (to me) in that a lot of people who knew various Chagra family members have written in with remarks based on actual memories, or actual personal experience with some aspect of the Chagra saga or its fallout.
Your comments do not fall in that category. They seem to me to be based only on fairly rigid law-and-order personal views, perhaps supplemented by reading Gary Cartwright's book, or at least its cover material. In which case, we have now read your opinions, and we know what they are. Unless you surprise us and come up with something in the nature of a genuine personal memory or reminiscence concerning the Chagras, I think we do not need to have any more of your comments here. (A blog, as we say, is not a democracy.)
I will feel free to remove any future comments from you which simply reiterate your ideological views on crime, the justice system, and so forth, which by now we are familiar with. If in fact you actually knew any of the Chagras, or anyone else involved, like, say Judge Wood or his family, I will be happy to see comments from you reflecting such such experience and background and which might further our knowledge and appreciation of the human aspect of all this. Otherwise, your future comments, if any, will be removed.
Jim, you are truly a gentleman and a beautiful person! I will always be grateful to you and Kay and your children for letting us into your home when we needed you. You all were a truly kind,generous and loving family. God Bless you all always.
And with Jim's Nazi Stormtrooper response to Seekers 06/05/09 comments so dies your blog. RIP.
Oh, come now, Interested, that's a little excessive. And in point of fact the blog has gone on to a better life quite some time ago.
seeker was the nazi good riddance
Thank you so much, Jim for your continued love and kindness to my family. Growing up in such an interesting environment has definetely been beneficial as well as complicated. My father was a generous, hilarious, kind and loving man. My mother always loved him as you well know even with his character flaws because of the simple fact that he was such a character. Mom was an intelligent and beautiful woman, I will love and miss them both always. I have seen Anna in the past few years, although I was never very close to your family you have always been a special part of my life. Sincerely, Cindy Chagra
Cindy, please send me an email.
Aunt Gail
(Georgia)
jim, id like to for you to contact me via email, will you send me your personal email address?
Hello to all the Chagras on here!
I'm glad to see all of you that are still with us speaking up for your departed family! The ones speaking against you don't have faces to put with the men they are putting down. They are making anonymous judgements based on news articles. I can only say Lee Chagra got me out of trouble more than once as a kid for which I am grateful. Tina I hope you are alive and well in El Paso. It's been years since I have seen you.
Warmly, Michael
Hello- I am fascinated that there is a blog about the Chagras! My twin sister dated Leader in HS, and we all spent lots of time together. The Chagra family were all very loving and super charismatic. I wish Terri, Tina, Joanna and all the family the best and wish them well. They deserve it after so much drama.. Kisses and hugs-
I'm not perfect I once got a ticket for spitting on the sidewalk and once for j-walking, but I never sold a trillion pounds of drugs and I never plotted to kill a federal judge! Shout Out toInterested Observer
A note from the blog owner here, seeker. I have not banned you from making comments, but I already mentioned that I am not much interested in your further opinions on law and order, drugs, and various other topics we have already heard from you on. We know what you think, so unless you have something new and original (and not insulting to living members of the Chagra family), please refrain from belaboring points you have already made.
Edited By Siteowner
I was hoping to see a post about Leslie. I graduated from Coronado with her. She probably would know my name, but she was always very kind and classy. Never hessitated to return a smikle in the hall. I didn't know Lee Jr., but my best friend growing up in El Paso talk of him a lot...Ray Ramos III. Ray and his dad Ray II were a huge part of my life, both have long since passed. We used to run around downtown and visit Vic, and Sib as kids. My father went to law school with Lee and Jimmy and Joe and always had nothing but great stories about them and the wives. He was truly devestated by Lee's death and the whole tragic outcome of things.
Anyway, I digress...I was thinking about the Chagra family today and searched for info. I want to express my wishes and prayers that Leslie is doing well and hopefully happy. Thank you for not having your bodyguard whoop me when I passed out, sprawled out backwords on the hood of your limo on graduation night in front the Plaza Hotel during the graduation party! I hope you are well! My sincerest condolences and best wishes to the rest of the family for all the losses and suffering through the years. Dave Cole
Correction...she probably wouldn't know my name.
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