He was preceded in death by his father Fred P. Lorenzen and Mother Letha Livesay. Their arrest came after a gun that was allegedly used to shoot Wright was found in a Walnut, Mississippi, lake. Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wright had movie star looks with an infectious smile, and served as the team's leader. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send He has received immunity from prosecution in the Wright case. One of the guns used to kill Wright was found in a lake about 45 minutes away from Wrights former home. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey), Deborah Marion, mother of former NBA basketball player Lorenzen Wright, speaks with reporters, Monday, March 21, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn., after a jury convicted a Tennessee man in the slaying of her son, whose bullet-riddled body was found in a field nearly 12 years ago. According to police, Wright had been lured into a road next to a field when he ran into Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner. Each child was wearing a different team hat from their father's 13 year NBA career. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of multiple gunshots. She entered a surprise guilty plea on the lesser charge of facilitation of murder, but Turner claimed he was innocent and went to trial. Make sure that the file is a photo. Wright Previous violations while at the Shelby County Jail played a role in the judge setting that bond amount. Parts of his testimony were challenged by defense attorney John Keith Perry, who said the information Martin gave to investigators was false. Wright was last seen at his ex-wifes house on July 18, 2010, after spending part of the day with his close friend Phil Dotson. Lorenzen Wright As people mourned, police worked to find the killers. The 12-person jury deliberated for about two hours before it found Billy Ray Turner guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder and conspiracy in the death of Wright, a 6-foot, 11-inch center who played 13 seasons in the NBA before he retired after the 2008-2009 season. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. He then denied a motion of acquittal made by the defense. Wright Robinsons plea deal was announced in court and the judge gave Marion the chance to address her sons ex-wife. Turner pleaded not guilty on first-degree murder charges. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Martin said he told detectives in 2012 where the gun was located. Billy Ray Turner's first-degree murder trial of Lorenzen Wright, nearly 12 years in the making, finally kicked off on March 14, 2022, with Judge Coffee selecting a jury. Turner, whose trial was delayed two years, in part because of the global pandemic, finally faced his day in court in March of 2022. Outside the courtroom, Marion told reporters she was elated with the verdict. We remain available 24/7 to serve families. Phoenix Obituaries | Obits for the Phoenix, AZ Area - Legacy.com You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. After the state rested, Judge Coffee said there was more than enough corroborating evidence of conspiracy, first degree murder, and attempted first degree murder, including items and bullet casings recovered at crime scene. Wright Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Martin testified that he and Turner met with Sherra Wright to plan the killing and went to Lorenzen Wrights condominium in Atlanta to shoot him, with an understanding that he would get paid. She later alleged that the former power forward was involved in criminal activity and had left her home at 11:30 p.m. with a box of drugs and cash. Investigators looked into Wright Robinsons claims, but Wright was never implicated in any criminal activity. Spectators gathered around the scene of the crime, including Lorenzen's former teammates Penny Hardaway and Elliot Perry. "There's no reason for anybody to take him like this.". On the tape, the 911 operator could hear an unidentified man yelling Hey, goddamn, as the sounds of gunfire erupted in the background. Resend Activation Email. Lorenzen Wright Obituary (1975-2010) - Memphis, TN Wright's six children and ex-wife were in the procession, trailed by his father, Herb Wright, who uses a wheelchair. ET on ABC. Judge Lee Coffee sentenced Turner, 51, to life in prison for the murder conviction. Instead of being excited, Cowans said Wright was evasive and nervous, and doubted the gun really had been found. RELATED: Big Break In Lorenzen Wright Case: Alleged Murder Weapon Found In Mississippi Lake. Friends and family have accused authorities of dragging their feet. The board voted to deny parole for Sherra Wright, who entered a guilty plea in July 2019 to facilitation of first-degree murder in her ex-husband's killing. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. Both Wright Robinson and Turner were arrested and charged in December 2017. He was a member of their squads that reached two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Family members linked to this person will appear here. According to Bleacher Report, Sherra Wright said at the time Lorenzen was carrying a "considerable sum of money.". "Miss Wright does appear to be an ongoing danger to Shelby County, Tennessee," said Coffee at the time. Sherra Wright was there when defendant Billy Ray Turner, 51, shot and killed her former husband, according to Shelby County prosecutor Paul Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. And, you know, whats it going to do. The decomposing remains of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright were found in a Memphis field in 2010 -- he had been shot 11 times. "That's the biggest service you could pay him.". Sherra was later extradited to the Shelby County Jail. FULL VIDEO: Lorenzen Wright Memorial - YouTube I cant say I was completely surprised, says Dotson. In the days he was missing, police said they didn't expect foul play. / CBS News. Turner is a landscaper who knew Sherra Wright from church and, according to prosecutors, had a secret romantic relationship with her. Among the mourners was Wrights ex-wife Sherra, whom he had met when he was 16 and she was 21. Family and friends started to worry when days passed and Wright didnt return their phone calls. Neither Turner nor Sherra Wright testified during the trial. She feared that Mr. Wright would never leave her alone, and she recruited Billy Turner to kill Mr. Wright, Ganguli said. Wrights body was found with multiple bullet wounds in a swampy field in east Memphis on 28 July 2010. The 6-foot-11 forward-center was drafted No. He was convicted in March of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Marion remained a driving force behind the investigation and said she would call the police station everyday to ask if they had found any new information. I kept calling him all day and he didn't answer the phone, said Marion. As defense attorney Juni Ganguli argued, however, Sherra Wright had been physically abused by the victim. Money, Marion said. Subscribe. No arrests have been made and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects. I just dont believe it. She was gonna get some lifetime [if the case went to trial], said Marion. The state rested its case late Saturday morning after calling its final witness - an undercover law enforcement member who testified about surveilling Turner and Sherra Wright after authorities announced a murder weapon had been found. In closing arguments, defense attorney John Keith Perry said Martins crazy, contrived story was not believable. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Who killed Lorenzen Wright? Murder still a mystery Please enter your email and password to sign in. based on information from your browser. Turner and Martin returned home without killing anyone. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. A system error has occurred. Thats all I want is my grandkids.. Martin has not been charged in connection with Wrights death. Deborah Marion in court in March of 2022. Prosecutor Austin Scofield said Sherra Wright told Turner during a meeting at her house that Lorenzen Wright had a hit out on her. Among those speaking against her early release was Lorenzen Wright's mother, Deborah Marion. Judge Coffee spoke directly to Deborah Marion, who was present at the trial Monday, like every day before that. Marion said she knew something was wrong when Wright didnt show up to his sisters baby shower. After roughly two hours, they returned with a unanimous guilty verdict, sending Turner to jail likely for the rest of his life, and marking the end of one of the highest-profile murder cases in Memphis history. Murdered Former NBA Player Lorenzen Wright GREAT NEWS! Deborah Vassar, mother of Lorenzen Wright, and Lorenzen Wright Jr. approach the casket of Lorenzen Wright during a memorial service honoring his life, Aug. 4, 2010, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. March 22, 2023, 8:57 AM PDT.
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