New twists keep surfacing in a true life murder story currently being written and developed as a feature film by Las Vegas author Jack Sheehan.

Sheehan's involvement in the story began nine months ago, after he tracked down Jimmy Chagra for an interview for a television pilot he and his wife, Carol, are producing called "True Vegas."

Chagra had recently been released from federal prison after serving 23 1/2 years on a drug kingpin charge. He was alleged to have hired Charles Harrelson, the father of actor Woody Harrelson, to assassinate federal Judge "Maximum" John H. Wood, who was about to preside over Chagra's smuggling trial.

After interviewing Chagra, who was living under an assumed named in the Federal Witness Protection Program, Sheehan and his partners purchased all the exclusive movie, book, and television rights to the Chagra saga.

One of the more intriguing aspects to the story, said Sheehan, was the involvement of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who, in his heyday in the 1970s and '80s, represented a Who's Who of alleged major crime figures, including Chagra.

Charles Harrelson was convicted of being the triggerman in the judge's murder and was sentenced to two life terms, but Goodman, then practicing out of Las Vegas, got Chagra acquitted. Goodman calls the acquittal one of the biggest victories of his legal career.

The new twist: With Charles Harrelson's recent death in a Supermax prison near Denver, Sheehan, who is this month finishing the film's screenplay, went back to Chagra for comment.

Chagra told Sheehan, "I don't think Harrelson killed Judge Wood, but he was certainly no virgin when it came to murder."

Chagra and Charles Harrelson met in Las Vegas in the 1970s, when Chagra was operating a massive marijuana trafficking operation out of Las Vegas and El Paso, Texas. Chagra at the time was a legendary gambling figure, playing mainly at Caesars Palace and Binion's Horseshoe. To prove his reputation, he showed up for his secluded-location interview with Sheehan last June with a 4-foot-tall trophy.

"The craps dealers at Caesars had presented the trophy to him in 1978," said Sheehan. "It's inscribed, 'To Jimmy Chagra, the King of Las Vegas, and the most generous tipper ever to walk through the doors of Caesars Palace.'" There were 30 to 35 dealers' names inscribed on the silver plating.

"Chagra had never been interviewed on camera about the judge's murder," says Sheehan, who has written 13 books, including "Skin City" and "Class of '47."

Sheehan and his partners plan to produce the film independently, although they will consider offers from Hollywood studios.

When the script is finished, Sheehan says he will consider sending a copy to Woody Harrelson, who played a serial killer in "Natural Born Killers," and has long professed his father's innocence in the murder of Judge Wood.

"That would be an interesting casting angle," Sheehan said. "You may even see Oscar Goodman in the role of Maximum John Wood."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

If Michael Jackson lands a Las Vegas show, a 50-foot robotic replica of the pop star is on the drawing board, Andre Van Pier, the robot's designer, told the New York Daily News. Jackson has seen the sketches, said Van Pier. ...

Sahara headliner and Elvis stylist Trent Carlini is in Orlando, Fla., this week to tape ABC's "Next Best Thing," the new reality series about finding the ultimate celebrity impersonator. It begins airing in July.

SIGHTINGS

Members of the UNLV basketball team, those 21 and over, celebrating their successful season and the 21st birthday of teammate Rene Rougeau at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Sunday. ...

Diners at Green Valley Ranch's Feast Around the World Buffet were surprised Sunday night when the 204-member Brigham Young University Men's Chorus performed a short, impromptu concert at the eatery. The choir had just finished a two-hour meal at the buffet after a full concert at the nearby Henderson Pavilion.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Sources at the Pentagon say several factories in Iraq will soon begin making clothes to be sold in the United States. That's right. Because Americans only want two things from Iraq: a stable central government and affordable quality men's wear." -- Conan O'Brien

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.