CNN Nearly 12 years after his death rocked the basketball world, former NBA player Lorenzen Wrights murder case came to a close Monday when a Memphis At the time, Wright Robinson claimed to investigators that Wright was connected to drugs. 0 cemeteries found in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA. Prosecutor Austin Scofield said Sherra Wright told Turner during a meeting at her house that Lorenzen Wright had a hit out on her. Show more. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Meanwhile, Sherra Wright sued the Shelby County Sheriff's Office from her jail cell in December, 2020. No arrests have been made and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects. In July 2019, his ex-wife, Sherra WrightRobinson, pleaded guilty to facilitating his death. Each child was wearing a different team hat from their father's 13 year NBA career. A jury has convicted a Tennessee man in the murder of former NBA player of Lorenzen Wright, who was found dead in a field in Memphis in 2010. Verify and try again. He said Shelby County courtrooms were not suitable for trying many cases, and certainly not cases during a pandemic. Wright was missing for nine days before his remains were found in a wooded area off a desolate Turner pleaded not guilty on first-degree murder charges. The entire footage from the Lorenzen Wright Memorial held at the Fed Ex Forum. It was later found by FBI divers. A January 2022 trial date has been set for the man accused in the 2010 killing of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Thats what it was about. 9.71K subscribers. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman defended Martins testimony, saying Martins immunity agreement required him to tell the truth and statements given to investigators and prosecutors have been consistent. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. MEMPHIS, Tenn. After 12 years, two people are now behind bars, and an entire city is ready to move forward after the final piece to the puzzle of Lorenzen Wright's murder was put in place Monday with the conviction and sentencing of Billy Ray Turner. "It's a celebration for me because we've got somebody elseyou know for actually doing what they did," Said Deborah Marion, Lorenzen's mother, after the guilty verdict was delivered. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. We got this. The brutal crime shook the city, and the investigation into Wrights killing is the subject of a new episode of People Magazine Investigates, airing Monday, Dec. 9 at 10 p.m. Lorenzen's father sued Sherra Wright after finding that Sherra had spent all but $5.05 of Lorenzen's $1 million life insurance payment on "luxury expenses" within months of Lorenzen's passing. Relatives and friends fought off tears as they addressed the crowd, still in disbelief at the way he died. Wright spent five of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the team from the city he was born. Turner, whose trial was delayed two years, in part because of the global pandemic, finally faced his day in court in March of 2022. On July 19, 2010, Memphis lost one of its local stars when Lorenzen Wright was murdered. In closing arguments, Perry said Martins crazy, contrived' story was not believable. Citing witness testimony, Scofield said Turner responded: What do you want me to do, Sherra?'. Marion, who was in the courtroom that day, said that after 12 years, she felt like she can sleep now. FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Lorenzen Wright poses at the team's NBA basketball media day in Independence, Ohio. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Lorenzen Wright (55748448)? Then, investigators said Turner's calls moved to a spot near the crime. Thousands of mourners showed up at his memorial service at FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis, where he had once played for the Memphis Grizzlies. Marion, the slain players mother, said shes convinced the insurance policy was Sherra Wrights motivation. She claimed that she had last seen Wright drive off with an unknown man carrying a box of drugs. At the end of the trial, Coffee called Wright "a sacred son" of Memphis. There is a problem with your email/password. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He was shot to death in what police are calling a homicide. Coffee called Wright a sacred son of Memphis and told his mother, Deborah Marion, that the trial might not bring her closure but would celebrate the good about her son. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. The seven-year investigation into Lorenzen Wrights murder was one of the Memphis Police Departments most high-profile unsolved cases. Raymond L. Lorenzen 83, passed away Jan. 3rd peacefully, following a short illness. Wright's six children and ex-wife were in the procession, trailed by his father, Herb Wright, who uses a wheelchair. "That's the biggest service you could pay him.". Please enter your email and password to sign in. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. As people mourned, police worked to find the killers. Martin said he told detectives in 2012 where the gun was located. Wright Robinsons plea deal was announced in court and the judge gave Marion the chance to address her sons ex-wife. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. While growing up, Wright's father, who was paralyzed after being shot in the spine, coached him on the basketball court and taught him to be a family man off the court. Sherra Wright listens as prosecutor Paul Hagerman reads a list of evidence against her during a hearing in Judge Lee Coffee's court in Memphis, Tenn., July 25, 2019. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. This browser does not support getting your location. Failed to report flower. Days later, police discovered the distressed caller was 34-year-old former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. Sherra Wright said she lured her ex-husband to the field by telling him that she was going to meet someone there to get some money, Martin testified. Honeymoon Murder Mystery: Why Was Bride Found Dead in 5-Star Suite She Shared with Husband. The bureau and the court had to work out how to move forward with trials during the pandemic - considering how many people could be allowed in a courtroom, social distancing, seating, etc. He has received immunity from prosecution in the Wright case. Days later, police discovered the distressed caller was 34-year-old former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. This account has been disabled. Subscribe. We have set your language to MEMPHIS, Tenn. (CBS/WREG/AP) The procession moved slowly and solemnly on Wednesday, a long line of mourners dressed in black and white, pausing in front of the silver casket of Memphis' slain native son Lorenzen Wright. Learn more about managing a memorial . To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Marion, the slain players mother, said shes convinced the insurance policy was Sherra Wrights motivation. The conviction for first-degree murder will see Turner behind bars for at least 51 years, joining fellow murder conspirator Sherra Wright, Lorenzen's ex-wife, who is serving a 30 year sentence for conspiring to murder the basketball star. Prosecutors allege Wrights ex-wife, Sherra Wright, masterminded a plan to kill her ex-husband and recruited Turner and her cousin, Jimmie Martin, to help her. 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. Money, Marion said. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered. Their arrest came after a gun that was allegedly used to shoot Wright was found in a Walnut, Mississippi, lake. With Lorenzen, Id be talking to his picture and sometimes his picture could look at me a certain way like its really him He was a mommas boy. He worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber for 40 yrs. "As loving as Lorenzen was, and he gave so much to so many people, if we can just come together and love each other instead of all this violence, it will be a much better world," Herb Wright said after the service. Turner and Martin returned home without killing anyone. For over a decade, Deborah Marion has been fighting for answers in the murder of her son, former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot in 2010. Sherra was later extradited to the Shelby County Jail. As CrimeOnline previously reported, Sherra Wright was arrested in 2017 on suspicion of first-degree murder seven years after 34-year-old Lorenzen Wrights decomposed body was found after he was reported missing in July 2010. An ABC 20/20 report that aired Friday detailed the circumstances around his Perry said Martin not Turner was in Memphis the night Lorenzen Wright was shot. In December 2017, police arrested Sherra, along with her friend Billy Turner, and charged them with Wrights murder. There was an error deleting this problem. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Lorenzen Wright was visiting Memphis from Atlanta. I wasn't gonna never get tired until I die 'cause somebody had to pay for killing my child.. Please reset your password. (AP Photo/Adrian Sainz), Emergency at North Mississippi natural gas facility lifted after Friday fire, Covington on the road to recovery one month after deadly tornado hits Tipton County, Memphis area seeing an increase in days with the possibility of tornadoes, study finds, Billy Ray Turner found guilty of first-degree murder in killing of Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright, Big Break In Lorenzen Wright Case: Alleged Murder Weapon Found In Mississippi Lake, Devoted Or Deceived: The Man Who Loved Sherra Wright, Lorenzen Wrights Family and Close Friends React to Sherra Wrights Arrest, Bond Set At $20 Million For Sherra Wright In Lorenzen Wright Murder Case, Prosecutors Reveal Several Violations Against Sherra Wright While Locked Up In Jail East, Sherra Wright pleads guilty in Lorenzen Wright murder case, COVID delays trial for Billy Ray Turner, accused of killing former NBA star Lorenzen Wright, Sherra Wright sues Shelby County Sheriff's Office for $12 million, Day 4 of testimony in trial of Billy Ray Turner for murder of Lorenzen Wright, Texts, internet searches focus of testimony in day 2 of Billy Ray Turner's trial for murder of Lorenzen Wright, Emotions ran high as testimony began in trial of Billy Ray Turner for murder of Lorenzen Wright. Family and friends started to worry when days passed and Wright didnt return their phone calls. Wright's body was found July 28 in woods outside Memphis after he had been missing for 10 days. Parts of his testimony were challenged by defense attorney John Keith Perry, who said the information Martin gave to investigators was a farce and full of lies. Martin testified Thursday that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen, in a plot to receive the over $1 million in life insurance benefits after Lorenzen died. Learn more about merges. Hundreds of fans, friends and family members of the former NBA player filed into the FedEx Forum in Memphis for Wright's memorial service and funeral, Our experts predict every series, 2023 NBA playoffs: Second-round series, Finals, MVP odds, 'He looks better than ever': Why the Orlando bubble was 'just the beginning' for Jamal Murray, Pregame chats, language arts and 'a lot of fines': Inside NBA player-ref dynamics, Excerpt: E60 examines the murder of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright. 4Y; Man charged in Wright death pleads to gun count. Neither Turner nor Sherra Wright testified during the trial. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Deborah Marion was the mother of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot in 2010. Sherra Wright appeared at a parole hearing May 11 at the prison in Nashville where she is being held. Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. According to police, Wright had been lured into a road next to a field when he ran into Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner. I think that is purely fiction, said Bill Adkins, a close friend of Wright. RELATED: Prosecutors Reveal Several Violations Against Sherra Wright While Locked Up In Jail East. While with the Tigers, Wright emerged as a star player, achieving All-American status, All-Great Midwest Conference and All-Conference USA honors. Coffee urged Marion to remember the good things and celebrate Lorenzen's life, as she nodded in agreement with Coffee's words. On the tape, the 911 operator could hear an unidentified man yelling Hey, goddamn, as the sounds of gunfire erupted in the background. In the years that Lorenzen and Sherra Wright were married, they welcomed seven beautiful children into their lives. On April 11, 1995, their first child Lorenzen Wright Jr. was born. Then came their eldest daughter Loren Wright. "That's the biggest service you could pay him.". In the days he was missing, police said they didn't expect foul play. As defense attorney Juni Ganguli argued, however, Sherra Wright had been physically abused by the victim. Watch the full story on "20/20" FRIDAY at 9 p.m. Thanks for your help! RELATED: COVID delays trial for Billy Ray Turner, accused of killing former NBA star Lorenzen Wright. One of the guns used to kill Wright was found in a lake about 45 minutes away from Wrights former home. Slain NBA player Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife, Sherra Wright, has been denied parole from a 30-year prison sentence she's serving after pleading guilty to According to Martin, she said that she and Turner ambushed and chased Lorenzen Wright, who jumped a fence and tried to run away before they shot him in the field. 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. Dr. Bill Adkins, of the Greater Imani Church and Christian Center, appeared to reference the 911 call when he talked about how "a cry of help went unnoticed.". Wright Robinson initially pleaded not guilty but later agreed to a plea deal on July 25, 2019, and pleaded guilty to the facilitation of first-degree murder. Professional Basketball Player. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. "There's no reason for anybody to take him like this.". In March, Billy Ray Turner, identified as another suspect in the murder, was sentenced to life in prison for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy. Funeral Services are Saturday, Jan. 7th at the Kimball Stake Center 1266 S. 32nd St. Mesa Az. A motive for the slaying was not made clear during the trial, though prosecutors said the killers were driven by jealousy and greed. Wright was missing for nine days before his severely decomposed body was found on July 28, in a field near the TPC Southwind Golf Course. Judge Lee Coffee ensured now-accused killer Sherra Wright wouldn't be walking free before her trial, setting a bond of $20 million. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman previously issued a statement calling the athletes death a violent offense, an offense that has torn apart a family, an offense thats been highlighted throughout Memphis and the media and everything else.. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. He was supposed to have been coming to the baby shower. Sherra Wright, the ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright, has pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder in the death of the former NBA player and will receive a 30-year prison sentence. And, you know, whats it going to do. Turner had already pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon as a convicted felon after he was found with two guns when he was arrested in Wrights killing in 2017. Coffee called Wright a sacred son of Memphis and told his mother, Deborah Marion, that the trial might not bring her closure but to celebrate the good about her son. Martin testified that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. 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. Cleveland Cavaliers' Lorenzen Wright poses at the team's NBA basketball media day in Independence, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. I think she is a calculating, heartless person.. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Three of the seven parole board members decided against releasing Wright; the victims mother released an impact statement opposing the release. How Lorenzen Wright's widow blew his $1m life insurance in Martin also said Turner and Wright got rid of evidence from the shooting scene and he went with Turner to dispose of the weapon by dumping it in a north Mississippi lake. Sherra was there at the funeral and gave me a hug, and thanked me for doing such a nice eulogy, Wrights friend, pastor Bill Adkins, tells PEOPLE. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Among those speaking against her early release was Lorenzen Wright's mother, Deborah Marion. The criminal case turned cold for the next seven years. Phoenix Remembers, powered by Legacy.com, is the most timely and comprehensive collection of Phoenix obituaries and local obituaries from the Phoenix Evans told the courtroom. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Instead of being excited, Cowans said Wright was evasive and nervous, and doubted the gun really had been found. In 2017, a huge break came in the investigation. Try again later. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s).