They later picked up Wrights son and Dotson dropped them off at Sherras home in a Memphis suburb around 10 p.m. I drove off and I never heard from him again, says Dotson. Judge Coffee said the countys courtroom setups had been an ongoing issue that he had previously brought to the mayors attention. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Her Fianc Was Just Charged with Murder, Former NBA Star Keith Appling Reportedly Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder, Shawn Kemp Arrested on Felony Drive-By Shooting Charge, Ex-Boyfriend of Missing Md. The 6-foot-11 forward-center was drafted No. Billy Ray Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted on first-degree murder charges in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Martin had told prosecutors that he had participated in a failed plan to kill Wright with Wright Robinson and another man named Billy Ray Turner, who was a landscaper and attended the same church as Wright Robinson. I knew God was on my side, Marion said. The prosecution, led by Shelby County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman, named Jimmie Martin as one of its key witnesses, drawing complaints from the defense. MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife will not be granted early release from a 30-year prison sentence she received after pleading guilty to plotting the retired NBA player's 2010 slaying, the Tennessee Board of Parole said Monday. The seven-year investigation into Lorenzen Wrights murder was one of the Memphis Police Departments most high-profile unsolved cases. I say Get you some rest baby. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Lorenzen Wright's slaying is one of the most highly publicized murder cases in Memphis history. Martin testified that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. For over a decade, Deborah Marion has been fighting for answers. "He would still be a mommas boy if he was here now.". 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.". 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. She will be eligible for parole as early as May 2027. Turner and Martin returned home without killing anyone. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Three of the seven parole board members decided against releasing Wright; the victims mother released an impact statement opposing the release. 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. Among those speaking against her early release was Lorenzen Wright's mother, Deborah Marion. Judge Lee Coffee ensured now-accused killer Sherra Wright wouldn't be walking free before her trial, setting a bond of $20 million. Sherra Wright appeared at a parole hearing May 11 at the prison in Nashville where she is being held. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. He said Shelby County courtrooms were not suitable for trying many cases, and certainly not cases during a pandemic. Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wright had movie star looks with an infectious smile, and served as the team's leader. In March 2003, Wright's 11-month-old daughter, Sierra, died of sudden infant death syndrome. Family and friends started to worry when days passed and Wright didnt return their phone calls. Prosecutor Austin Scofield said Sherra Wright told Turner during a meeting at her house that Lorenzen Wright had a hit out on her. 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. [Featured image: FILE In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers Lorenzen Wright poses at the teams NBA basketball media day in Independence, Ohio. He quoted Wright as saying, I think its all a ploy. But I left the meeting with a whole lot of information I didnt know.. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Lorenzen Wright I found on Findagrave.com. She also pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit attempted first degree murder, and sentenced to a total of 38 years in jail. GREAT NEWS! Neither Turner nor Sherra Wright testified during the trial. Judge Lee Coffee said he had to first meet with Shelby County Health Departments Bureau of Infectious Diseases for approval to try any case. According to Bleacher Report, Sherra Wright said at the time Lorenzen was carrying a "considerable sum of money.". Sherra Wright entered a surprise guilty plea to facilitation of murder in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Days later, police discovered the distressed caller was 34-year-old former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. A litany of former NBA brethren paid their respects, including Memphis hero Penny Hardaway, Elliot Perry, Bonzi Wells, and former Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Divers pulled the gun out almost immediately. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. Wright Robinsons plea deal was announced in court and the judge gave Marion the chance to address her sons ex-wife. In a new episode of ESPNs E60, the story of murdered former NBA player Lorenzen Wright is told through the eyes of his twin sons who are now trying to honor their father and push forward as college basketball players. I think that is purely fiction, said Bill Adkins, a close friend of Wright. Wrights next parole hearing is scheduled for 2027. Martin said he went to the Memphis field with Sherra Wright some days after the shooting and she essentially confessed. He was preceded in death by his father Fred P. Lorenzen and Mother Letha Livesay. Board member Barrett Rich presided over the hearing and recommended that the board deny parole. Born Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright, he attended Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis), and played collegiate basketball at the University of Memphis. Trump asks for mistrial in E. 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A jury on Monday convicted a Tennessee man in the murder of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot dead in a field nearly 12 years ago in his hometown of Memphis. Turner pleaded not guilty on first-degree murder charges. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Each child was wearing a different team hat from their father's 13 year NBA career. Sherra was later extradited to the Shelby County Jail. The night Lorenzen Wright was fatally shot. And, you know, whats it going to do. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. "But we got him now. Outside the courtroom, Marion told reporters she was elated with the verdict. The plea was a surprise move to some, who saw Sherra maintain innocence during pre-trial hearings. In July 2019, his ex-wife, Sherra WrightRobinson, pleaded guilty to facilitating his death. cemeteries found in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Two of her children gave statements on her behalf. For more on the disturbing slaying of NBA star Lorenzen Wright, subscribe now to PEOPLE or pick up this weeks issue, on newsstands now. Meanwhile, Sherra Wright sued the Shelby County Sheriff's Office from her jail cell in December, 2020. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. The Memphis basketball star could be heard shouting as shots were fired. Way down. Failed to delete memorial. Dennis Evans outlined phone records and deleted messages between Turner and Sherra Wright in the weeks before and after Lorenzen Wright's death. 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"We should all leave this hall with the thought that were going to do a little bit in Lorenzen's honor to make sure things like this don't happen again," Heisley said. A system error has occurred. In December 2017, police arrested Sherra, along with her friend Billy Turner, and charged them with Wrights murder. Turner is serving a 16-year prison sentence on the separate gun charge. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Sherra, I want to thank you for giving me my grandchildren, thats what I want to thank you for, she said in court. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? / CBS News. Marion said she knew something was wrong when Wright didnt show up to his sisters baby shower. 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, The decomposing remains of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright were found in a Memphis field in 2010 -- he had been shot 11 times. Wrights death shook his hometown of Memphis. Oops, something didn't work. This is just some satisfaction for me and my family.'. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. I cant say I was completely surprised, says Dotson. 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. According to prosecutors, Martin claimed that after Wright was murdered, Wright Robinson and Turner confessed to him that they did it and needed his help in disposing the evidence, which is how he knew the location of the murder weapon. Click to learn more. ). Martin was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the crime, providing information to investigators in exchange for immunity. She claimed that she had last seen Wright drive off with an unknown man carrying a box of drugs. Perry said Martin not Turner was in Memphis the night Lorenzen Wright was shot. It showed Turner making calls near Sherra Wright's home hours before the shooting. Relatives and friends fought off tears as they addressed the crowd, still in disbelief at the way he died. WebEx-wife pleads guilty in killing of Lorenzen Wright. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. His mother, Deborah Wright, also attended. Martin testified that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. Wright's six children and ex-wife were in the procession, trailed by his father, Herb Wright, who uses a wheelchair. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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. He will be sentenced for the other charges at a later date. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. Lorenzen Wright funeral and obituary March 22, 2022March 22, 2022by gordonofori Lorenzen Wrightwas a retired NBA player who was shot on Monday July 19, 2010. Top police officials in Germantown said they didn't learn of the call until July 27 -- eight days after it was made and five days after Wright's family reported him missing. RELATED: Sherra Wright pleads guilty in Lorenzen Wright murder case. Prosecutors allege Turner and Martin were asked by Lorenzen Wrights ex-wife, Sherra Wright, to kill him in Atlanta, then Memphis, in 2010. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 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. 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? 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. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Wrights supporters allege the book is fiction. Investigators began monitoring Wright Robinsons and Turners cell phones and alleged that they had learned incriminating information. Thats what it was about. Hes not going to come back anyway., RELATED: Devoted Or Deceived: The Man Who Loved Sherra Wright, Cowans said murder investigators paid him a visit hed never forget. No arrests have been made and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects. Selected by the Clippers during the first round (seventh overall pick) of the 1996 NBA Draft, he appeared in 779 career regular season games, scoring 6,191 points, with 4,943 rebounds. Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright Sr. was born in Memphis but lived as a youth Oxford, Miss. Billy Ray Turner is charged with conspiring with Wright's ex-wife in the slaying. 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. Funeral Services are Saturday, Jan. 7th at the Kimball Stake Center 1266 S. 32nd St. Mesa Az. 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. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Reporting Contributed by CBS Affiliate WREG. In college, Wright scored more than 1,000 Turner is a landscaper who knew Sherra Wright from church and, according to prosecutors, had a secret romantic relationship with her. "To me he was invincible," Archie said. It was later found by FBI divers. His decomposing remains were found in a Memphis field. With that bond, Sherra sat in jail for the entirety of her trial until her conviction. Honeymoon Murder Mystery: Why Was Bride Found Dead in 5-Star Suite She Shared with Husband. 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 Around midnight on July 19, 2010, Germantown Police received a fateful 911 call from Lorenzen Wright. Spectators gathered around the scene of the crime, including Lorenzen's former teammates Penny Hardaway and Elliot Perry. Watch the full story on "20/20" FRIDAY at 9 p.m. A Murder in Memphis debuts Wednesday, July 14, at 9 p.m. At the time, Wright Robinson claimed to investigators that Wright was connected to drugs. A 911 hang-up call from Wright's cell phone in the early morning hours of July 19 has become a key piece of evidence in the investigation.