Houston, TX commercial litigation attorney David Berg talks about his book ‘Run Brother Run: A Memoir of a Murder in My Family?’ about the murder of his brother. He recalls that in 2008, he decided to tell a story he had never shared publicly—the death of his brother. Most of his friends didn’t even know he had a brother, and some family members avoided the subject, knowing it still deeply upset him. His brother had been murdered in 1968 by Charles Harrelson, Woody Harrelson’s father, a hitman who later killed Judge John Wood and spent the rest of his life in prison.

Half of the book is devoted to the relationship he shared with his brother, and the other half focuses on the trial. Harrelson was represented by Percy Foreman, whom he describes as, in his mind, once the most famous criminal lawyer in the country. Foreman’s signature tactic was always calling alibi or standby witnesses. Despite the defense, Harrelson was acquitted, and he recounts why he considers it the greatest injustice he has witnessed in his legal career.

The book, published by Scribner—a dream for an English major—was well received and remains in print. Titled Run, Brother, Run, it is not solely a grim account of the trial or tragedy. It is also infused with humor and warmth, capturing the deep bond he shared with his brother Alan.