Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. / CBS News. Sherra Wright received $1m from her ex-husbands life insurance policy and settled a court dispute in 2014 over how she spent the insurance money meant to benefit their six children. Billy Ray Turner is charged with conspiring with Sherra Wright to killer her ex-husband, retired NBA player Lorenzen Wright, whose body was found in a swampy field Memphis in 2010. Wright Robinsons plea deal was announced in court and the judge gave Marion the chance to address her sons ex-wife. Professional Basketball Player. Click to learn more. A Tennessee woman convicted of killing her ex-husband, one-time NBA star Lorenzen Wright, has been denied parole. Martin was convicted and is currently serving prison time in that case. 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. Martin told prosecutor Paul Hagerman that he was in Batesville, Mississippi, at the time of the shooting just after midnight on 19 July 2010. Lorenzen Wright played college basketball at the University of Memphis and spent time with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. 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. Raymond L. Lorenzen 83, passed away Jan. 3rd peacefully, following a short illness. According to police, Wright had been lured into a road next to a field when he ran into Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner. She was gonna get some lifetime [if the case went to trial], said Marion. RELATED: COVID delays trial for Billy Ray Turner, accused of killing former NBA star 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. RELATED: Bond Set At $20 Million For Sherra Wright In Lorenzen Wright Murder Case. She later claimed in an interview that the book was based on her real life. They later had six children together. At the time of Wrights slaying, Martin was facing charges of killing his girlfriend, and he said his cousin helped pay part of his legal fees. 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. They gone., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Thats all I want is my grandkids.. Try again later. Add to your scrapbook. Marion said she knew something was wrong when Wright didnt show up to his sisters baby shower. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A jury on Monday convicted a Tennessee man in the slaying of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, whose bullet-riddled body was found in a field nearly 12 years ago in his hometown of Memphis. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. "There's no reason for anybody to take him like this.". In December 2017, police arrested Sherra, along with her friend Billy Turner, and charged them with Wrights murder. It all began in July 2010. WebEx-wife pleads guilty in killing of Lorenzen Wright. Martin testified that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. Lorenzen Wright's mother speaks out on getting justice after 12 7 in 1996 by the Los Angeles Clippers where he spent three seasons before moving onto the Atlanta Hawks, for two separate stints, Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008-09. Parts of his testimony were challenged by defense attorney John Keith Perry, who said the information Martin gave to investigators was false. The case of Lorenzen Wright's murder has taken many twists and turns since 2010, and ABC24 took a look back to see exactly what led up to today's decision. The decomposing remains of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright were found in a Memphis field in 2010 -- he had been shot 11 times. She said Sherra Wright should serve the full 30 years of her sentence. He played for the Memphis Tigers in college and the Memphis Grizzlies during his 13 seasons as a forward and center in the NBA. In court, prosecutors said Wright Robinson's cousin, Jimmie Martin, started talking to investigators about Wrights murder while awaiting sentencing in an unrelated murder case that had occurred three years prior to Wrights death. Wright's body was found July 28 in woods outside Memphis after he had been missing for 10 days. He was supposed to have been coming to the baby shower. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. LORENZEN WRIGHT Timeline of Lorenzen Wright's murder case | localmemphis.com cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. RELATED: Prosecutors Reveal Several Violations Against Sherra Wright While Locked Up In Jail East. In college, Wright scored more than 1,000 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. Please reset your password. Judge Coffee said the countys courtroom setups had been an ongoing issue that he had previously brought to the mayors attention. Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wright had movie star looks with an infectious smile, and served as the team's leader. The slaying is one of the most highly publicized murder cases in Memphis history. ). The decision was reached after three of seven board members agreed to deny her release based on the seriousness of her offense, board spokesman Dustin Krugel said in an email to The Associated Press. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. In July 2019, his ex-wife, Sherra WrightRobinson, pleaded guilty to facilitating his death. "Miss Wright does appear to be an ongoing danger to Shelby County, Tennessee," said Coffee at the time. His mother and siblings moved to Memphis for his senior year in high school, and he became a star at Booker T. Washington High School. 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. Days later, police discovered the distressed caller was 34-year-old former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. 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. 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. Wrights next parole hearing is scheduled for 2027. I just dont believe it. "But we got him now. Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first degree murder in Lorenzen's death July 25, 2019. In the days he was missing, police said they didn't expect foul play. Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send She will get credit for time served (nearly two years). Lorenzen Wright funeral and obituary - Vim Buzz At the time of his death, Wright had retired from the league in 2009 where he had earned an estimated $55 million over the course of 13 seasons in the NBA. Learn more about managing a memorial . Former NBA player Lorenzen Wright was found in Mississippi dead of multiple gunshot wounds back in 2010 after being reported missing days before in Tennessee. Watch the full story on "20/20" FRIDAY at 9 p.m. Three of the seven parole board members decided against releasing Wright; the victims mother released an impact statement opposing the release. 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. 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. Armed with handguns, Turner and Martin went to Wrights condo in Atlanta, entered through a window and found someone sleeping on the couch in the living room but it was not Lorenzen Wright, Martin testified. based on information from your browser. It was later found by FBI divers. Sherra Wright entered a surprise guilty plea to facilitation of murder in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. There was a problem getting your location. Marion, who was in the courtroom that day, said that after 12 years, she felt like she can sleep now. RELATED: Big Break In Lorenzen Wright Case: Alleged Murder Weapon Found In Mississippi Lake. Lorenzen Wright (1975-2010) - Find a Grave Memorial Wright's body was found July 28 in woods outside Memphis after he had been missing for 10 days. Show more. Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. Example video title will go here for this video. subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. (An exclusive clip is above.). or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Wright contributed to children's charities, holding basketball camps, contributing to child reading programs and visiting St. Jude's Children Research Hospital. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Judge Coffee spoke directly to Deborah Marion, who was present at the trial Monday, like every day before that. This is just some satisfaction for me and my family.. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 9.71K subscribers. She reportedly received a $1 million payout as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy. Wright was missing for nine days before his remains were found in a wooded area off a desolate 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. 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. 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 Money, Marion said. Lorenzen Wright was visiting Memphis from Atlanta. Investigators began monitoring Wright Robinsons and Turners cell phones and alleged that they had learned incriminating information. The 6-foot-11 forward-center was drafted No. Wrights death shook his hometown of Memphis. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. "I feel like jumping for joy every time I think about what they said, 'We found the gun in Walnut, Mississippi,'" Deborah Marion said at the time. Itll never be closure, because Ill never see my son again, Marion said. He was preceded in death by his father Fred P. Lorenzen and Mother Letha Livesay. 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. While with the Tigers, Wright emerged as a star player, achieving All-American status, All-Great Midwest Conference and All-Conference USA honors. Wright's six children and ex-wife were in the procession, trailed by his father, Herb Wright, who uses a wheelchair. GREAT NEWS! Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. Among the mourners was Wrights ex-wife Sherra, whom he had met when he was 16 and she was 21. "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. Sherra was later extradited to the Shelby County Jail. Wright I say Get you some rest baby. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Mom. Citing witness testimony, Scofield said Turner responded: What do you want me to do, Sherra?. 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, remembering the man many called "Ren" as a loving, gentle, charitable family man. Listen to a previous episode on the case below. Two of her children gave statements on her behalf. Under Tennessee Law, the judge immediately sentenced Turner to life in prison. 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, remembering the man many called "Ren" as a loving, gentle, charitable family man. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. It was later found by FBI divers. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. At the time of Wrights slaying, Martin was facing charges of killing his girlfriend, and he said his cousin helped pay part of his legal fees. Editor's note: Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports 1 collaborated on a three-part investigation looking into the 2010 murder of ex-NBA playerLorenzenWright. The seven-year investigation into Lorenzen Wrights murder was one of the Memphis Police Departments most high-profile unsolved cases. No arrests have been made and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects. His body had gunshot wounds. By Dateline NBC. [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. FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Lorenzen Wright poses at the team's NBA basketball media day in Independence, Ohio. I think she is a calculating, heartless person.. For over a decade, Deborah Marion has been fighting for answers. Resend Activation Email. Family and friends started to worry when days passed and Wright didnt return their phone calls. Sherra Wright would be eligible for parole after 30% of the sentence is served, after 9 years. Search Mesa obituaries and condolences, hosted by Echovita.com. 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. Marion, the slain players mother, said shes convinced the insurance policy was Sherra Wrights motivation. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Watch the full story on "20/20" FRIDAY at 9 p.m. Wright said she has done well in classes she is taking from prison and has a support system to help her when she is released. His death came as a shock to the world of the National Basketball Association. He will be sentenced for the other charges at a later date. Ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright pleads guilty in killing of former NBA star, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Way down. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Lorenzen Wright In closing arguments, defense attorney John Keith Perry said Martins crazy, contrived story was not believable. We remain available 24/7 to serve families. Born Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright, he attended Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis), and played collegiate basketball at the University of Memphis. The $20 million bond amount is tied to both the murder allegations of Lorenzen Wright and her behavior in jail. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Friends and family of slain NBA basketball player Lorenzen Wright grieve at the casket of Wright during a memorial service at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010. Billy Ray Turner remained in prison, and saw his trial set for September, 2019, but that initial date continued to be pushed, eventually into 2020. Lorenzen Wright, who played 13 years in the NBA, including five with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died. Sherra's and Turner's later defense would center heavily around Martin's credibility as a witness, Sherra going as far as to claim Martin had more evidence pointing to him as the killer than she did. I cant say I was completely surprised, says Dotson. "At 12:12, Mr. [Jimmie] Martin's phone is calling Mr. Turner's phone at the same that Mr. Lorenzen is calling 911," Sgt. As people mourned, police worked to find the killers. Sherra Wright entered a surprise guilty plea to facilitation of murder in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Billy Ray Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted on first-degree murder charges in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. When Lorenzen was murdered, the city was in shock, absolutely shocked, because first of all no one ever thought something like this would happen and to one of our heroes, says Adkins. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Lorenzen Wright (55748448)? You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. 12 years later, a guilty verdict brings the high-profile case to an end. NBC's "Dateline" will show "The Murder of Lorenzen Wright" with updates on the former NBA player's killing in 2010 and new interviews from Wright's family and those close to the case. 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. Wrights supporters allege the book is fiction. Learn more about merges. This account has been disabled. (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. He was 34. Jeffrey L. Archie told the audience that he may never understand why someone would kill his brother. Turner is a landscaper who knew Sherra Wright from church and, according to prosecutors, had a secret romantic relationship with her. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)], Masseur Charged With Sexually Assaulting Patron at Wifes Acupuncture Clinic, Police Investigating Break-in at Home of Slain Neurosurgeon, North Carolina Cop, Wife Found Shot Dead in Fayetteville Home, was sentenced to life in prison for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy. 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. 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.. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Lorenzen Wright She said she would visit her sons grave Monday night. 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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Dozens of friends and family followed, stopping before a photo of Wright, then the casket. It showed Turner making calls near Sherra Wright's home hours before the shooting. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of multiple gunshots. Thousands of mourners showed up at his memorial service at FedEx Forum in downtown Memphis, where he had once played for the Memphis Grizzlies. He had been shot 11 times. Kelvin Cowans, Sherra's ex-boyfriend who dated her after Lorenzen's death, called Wright in California to tell her police had found the murder weapon. She said she would visit her sons grave Monday night. Try again later. This is just some satisfaction for me and my family.'. He will be sentenced for the other charges at a later date. The call was received by dispatchers in suburban Germantown, but they didn't alert patrol officers or commanders because they couldn't confirm that it came from inside their jurisdiction. 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. A system error has occurred. On the evening of July 18, 2010, Wright left his ex-wifes home in Collierville, Tennessee, with drugs and money to 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. Sorry! Lorenzen Wright When asked if he thought Sherra killed Lorenzen, Cowans said at the time, Im not going to jeopardize anything they got going with that case because they asked me not to talk about the particulars of what we talked about. Turner, whose trial was delayed two years, in part because of the global pandemic, finally faced his day in court in March of 2022. Sons David and Todd, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, and brother Russell C Livesay of Georgia. 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. The 911 operator initially dismissed the call and never reported it, as no information could be obtained. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Drag images here or select from your computer for Lorenzen Wright memorial. We remain family owned, unlike our competitors. Around midnight on July 19, 2010, Germantown Police received a fateful 911 call from Lorenzen Wright. We got this. Five years after the murder, Wright Robinson published a novel in 2015 titled Mr. 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. Wright was missing for nine days before his remains were found in a wooded area off a desolate road in southeast Memphis that he used to take as a shortcut to his mothers house. ET on Investigation Discovery. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Spectators gathered around the scene of the crime, including Lorenzen's former teammates Penny Hardaway and Elliot Perry. His mother, Deborah Wright, also attended. The slaying is one of the most highly publicized murder cases in Memphis history. He was a member of their squads that reached two consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. 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. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of multiple gunshots. 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. Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi, USA. 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. Thats what it was about. Wright spent five of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the team in the city where he was born.