Lorenzen Wright was missing for nine days before he was found dead in a swamp in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. He was supposed to have been coming to the 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. On July 22, Wright's mother noted her son's absence and filed a missing person's report. Lorenzen's ex-wife Sherra, her landscaper Billy Ray Turner, and her cousin Jimmie Martin were all hauled in by police for questioning. She quickly spent a $1 million life insurance payout intended for the care of their children on a house, luxury vehicles, vacations and expensive furniture, Sports Illustrated reported. With then-sophomore Lorenzen Wright at center, Lafayette County High School in Oxford made it to the 1992 boys' 4A Mississippi state championship game. 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. The Mercedes was for the family. . -Follow Jay Busbee on Twitter at @jaybusbee.-, Other popular content on Yahoo! Defense attorney Juni Ganguli told reporters after her hearing that if the case had gone to trial, Wrights defense would have been that her ex-husband abused her for years. ET on ABC. The case will be highlighted on 20/20 on ABC. They left, and Sherra hatched another plan. During Martin's testimony at the trial, he told the jury that Turner had disposed of the gun in a north Mississippi lake, and he had told detectives where to locate the gun in 2012. Wright is believed to have been killed on July 19, 2010, when gunshots were heard during his 911 call. The caller was speaking with the dispatcher when 11 gunshots rang out. Wright's mother, Deborah Marion, told The Commercial Appeal that a police official told her Wright-Robinson would be charged with first-degree murder, the same charge Turner faced. company, Get valuable lists emailed directly Turner was a landscaper in Atlanta and had met Sherra through the church they both attended. On the day of his disappearance, July 18, 2010, he left his home in Atlanta, Georgia to visit his children in Memphis and see his oldest son, Lorenzen Jr., play basketball, according to Sports Illustrated. The funds have not been managed well Prudence demands that you spend the money in accordance what's in the best interest of the children, not how you feel today or what you want or your past style of life. Do not sell or share my personal information. Lorenzen Wright, #42 of the Memphis Grizzlies, goes up for the dunk against the Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson of the Phoenix Suns in Game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during . Investigators determined Wright died within seconds, shot twice in the head, twice near his heart and once in his forearm with a total of nine to 11 bullets from two different guns, the article said. 'That girl is crazy,' Lorenzen's mother said. But, alas, it ended up being Sherra who masterminded her ex-husbands murder for money, greed, and family secrets. properties, Build a downloadable list ', Eventually she 'makes a life-altering decision. Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright (November 4, 1975 - July 19, 2010) was an American professional basketball player for 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association. His father, Herb, was a professional basketball player who competed in Finland, and once had a tryout with the Utah Jazz. But I want you to call them, [and say], 'No its OK to talk to grandma, grandma still loves you.' Wright was recognized as a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press as a sophomore at the University of Memphis. Tell Me Anything. The supposedly fictitious story centered around the life of a woman who marries an abusive and unfaithful basketball player. Lorenzen Wright was missing for nine days before he was found dead in a swamp in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. Wright-Robinson was a former member of Turner's church. THE ESTATE OF LORENZEN VERNGAGNE WRIGHT, ET AL. So this is a while lot of mess about nothing," said Donovan. Tennessee Department of Corrections/Getty There is also significant discord, according to the court filings, between Herb Wright and Sherra Wright, who "testified Lorenzen Wright distrusted his father and as a result removed his father from any control over his accounts and finances. The body of Lorenzen Wright, a former Power Forward for the Los Angles Clippers, was found riddled with bullet wounds in a marshy field in Memphis on July 28, 2010, His wifeSherra Wright pleaded guilty last year to facilitating the murder of her husband and NBA star in July 2010, His mother Deborah Marion tells ABC that she thinks Sherra planned to take Lorenzen's money from the moment they met. They are both forwards in the SIU Edwardsville Cougars Mens Basketball team, a Division 1 team, and hope to keep playing in the future as well. The discovery of Lorenzen Wright's body in a field, riddled with bullets, is just one of a series of chilling details in his death. The Cordova home of late soul singer Isaac Hayes was foreclosed and sold for $712,500 to Regions Bank earlier this year. Lorenzen Wright spent the next 13 seasons in the NBA, playing for five different teams around the country. 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 . The jury . Hayes estate defaulted on a $1.1 million loan for the property. CNNs Ralph Eliis and journalists Allen Kim and Sheena Jones contributed to this report. Repeated court fights with Herb Wright, the executor of Lorenzen's estate, kindled Sherra's anger. Martin further explained in court testimony that Sherra told him that she and Turner ambushed Lorenzen after luring him there. He was drafted seventh overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and played for the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers . As part . Heres what we know. Will local change happen after Tyre Nichols death? It seems as if she has the guardianship of Sofia. Wright had been shot multiple times. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. A Memphis native and a 6-foot, 11-inch center who played for five teams over 13 seasons, Wright also. 8:32 PM EDT, Mon March 21, 2022, Ex-wife of NBA player charged in his murder. MEMPHIS, Tenn. 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. "Here's the fact. Lorenzen Wright was a 34-year-old basketball player in the NBA, who played for a total of 13 seasons after being drafted seventh overall in the 1996 draft. A tragic discovery came 10 days after he was reported missing. Deborah Marion in court in March of 2022. Wright went missing on July 18, 2010, and was found shot to death 10 days later. "Herb Wright tried to get a million dollars a couple years ago. 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During a basketball career spanning 13 years from 1996 to 2009 Lorenzen Wright played forward and center for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Powered by. We got this. 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. We're not here because there's nothing to get to. Sherra Robinson Wright, whose divorce from Wright was finalized only a few months before his death, received a $1 million life insurance settlement 14 months after his passing. To this day, all six Wright children maintain their mothers innocence. A Warner Bros. A defense attorney for a man charged with fatally shooting former NBA player Lorenzen Wright attempted to poke holes in the testimony of a convicted killer who said Wright's ex-wife gave him . Legal battle over Lorenzen Wright's estate continues, Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion. Ganguli said the defense would have been scorched earth, according to the Associated Press. Benham appointed a guardian to investigate lavish spending by ex-wife Sherra Wright. Sherra Wrights attorney, Christopher Donovan said everything shes done is for the kids, and while most of the life insurance money is gone, theres still 95 percent in real estate value from properties in East Shelby County and Arkansas. They said that the list was long and wide and they didn't have any real suspects, if you want to quote that.". In 2017, a huge break came in the investigation. ', And Memphis resident Montel Nevels said, 'I was hearing that Sherra was wanting to get pregnant and marry Lorenzen, assuming that he was going to be this great NBA basketball player.'. 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. Turner was arrested three weeks later, the article said, describing him as a deacon at Missionary Baptist Church and a landscaper with a criminal record. Nasal spray reduces risk of infection 86% - nearly DOUBLE protection given by shot in arm, 'It cuts like a knife': Attorney for family of LSU student Madison Brooks slam release of 'hurtful and shameful' video showing her in back of a car where four men 'raped her' before she was run over, Woke LA DA George Gascon SUSPENDS attorney who 'misgendered' transgender child molester, 27 - who started identifying as a woman after DNA linked her to cold case of man beaten to death, 'Roald Dahl was a bigot and he never supported me, but really?' Three years later and after three hours of deliberation, a jury found Turner guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Sherra Wright told her the Lexus and Mercedes were for the older children, because their dad promised them the cars. Jimmie Martin, a confessed co-conspirator if the plot to kill former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, testified against a man he said helped him plan the murder, Billy Ray Turner. Billy Ray Turner is charged with conspiring with Wright's ex-wife in the slaying. She said her six children are in her best interest, and she's invested most of the life insurance money, plus some, in real estate. The couple had just finalized their divorce weeks before his death. Deborah Marion, Lorenzen Wright's mother, speaks to the rest of the family before releasing balloons to commemorate his first birthday since both court cases regarding his killing ended Sunday, November 13, 2022. It was through basketball that he met. ABC News and ESPN Correspondent Ryan Smith will delve into the details and legal developments of the case on Friday night's episode, including lingering questions about what happened to Lorenzen. Sherra Wright, Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife./Lorenzen Wright. Both Wright Robinson and Turner were arrested and charged in December 2017. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. ABCs 20/20: Mystery in Memphis chronicles the heart-breaking tale of the disappearance and murder of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright, that transpired in July 2010. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. All night now., Lorenzens spirit been with me the whole time, she said. Wright is a native Memphian who starred at Booker T. Washington High School and the University of Memphis before being drafted in 1996 by the NBAs Los Angeles Clippers. Sherra Wright pleaded guilty in a . Sherra Wright was arrested four days after that. Wright founded the Sierra Simone Wright Scholarship Fund after the death of his infant daughter in March 2003. Her suspicions grew stronger in 2014 when Sherra wrote a book titled 'Mr. Billy Ray Turner in court in March of 2022. It's changed forms, that's all. Instead, they reported hearing gunshots in the background. The basketball player, who was shot to death in Memphis, Tennessee, had gone to the area from his home in Atlanta, Georgia, to visit his ex-wife, Sherra Wright-Robinson, and their children. In November 2017, investigators found a gun in a lake in Walnut, Mississippi, and ballistics determined it was one of the guns that fired bullets into Wright, according to Sports Illustrated. The ex-wife of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright on Thursday admitted that she planned his 2010 slaying and will spend between eight and 30 years behind bars. A jury has found Billy Ray Turner guilty on all charges in the murder of NBA star Lorenzen Wright. Simple as that," she said. It's tough to overstate the tragedy of Wright's fall. Lorenzen attempted to call 911 the morning of July 19, just after he disappeared. The Wrights defaulted on that loan, according to notices published in The Daily News in April, prompting the foreclosure and subsequent trustees sale. I knew God was on my side, Marion said. In 2019, Sherra Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder. The decision was reached after three . The father of six played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers at various points thoughts his career. The state's star witness wrapped up hours of testimony Friday in the trial of the man charged in Lorenzen Wright's death. His body was found decomposing in a desolate field area near a golf course. He reportedly earned a career total $55 million. The home formally was sold by trustee David J. Harris. Over the course of his NBA career, Lorenzen Wright earned an estimated $55.2 million in salary. Sherra and Lorenzen had gotten divorced just five months prior to that, but for their family, they remained cordial, or, at least, it appeared that way. - Free Online Library", "Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife Sherra Wright arrested in California, charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy", "Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife Sherra arrested in California in connection with his death", "CA Investigation: Memphis police no closer to finding star's killer 5 years later", "Ex-wife of slain former NBA player pleads guilty", 1996 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lorenzen_Wright&oldid=1140929876, All-American college men's basketball players, Basketball players from Memphis, Tennessee, Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball), Universiade gold medalists for the United States, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, 21st-century African-American sportspeople, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 13:49. Tuesday, a judge heard arguments why his ex-wife, Sherra Wright, should be in charge of the million dollar life insurance policy taken out for the kids future. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Deborah Marion was the mother of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot in 2010. "Jury finds Billy Ray Turner guilty in killing of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright", "Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife wants plea thrown out", "Trial set in slaying of NBA's Lorenzen Wright", "With trial date set in death of NBA player Lorenzen Wright, his mother now can 'breathe', "Who killed Lorenzen Wright? to you, Keep an eye on trends and events On January 6, 2003, Wright scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 106-102 win over the New Orleans Hornets. Wright is currently serving prison time in connection with the shooting. He deserved better than his tragic end, and the fact that acrimony from his passing continues to tear his family apart is an ongoing shame. The father of six played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers at various points thoughts his career. All rights reserved. The case went cold for nearly a decade with no significant leads until November 9, 2017, when the gun believed to have been used to carry out the killing was pulled from a Mississippi lake. Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. Those assets are, at present, frozen. [16] The dispatcher did not report the call to her supervisor until eight days later, hindering the police investigation and resulting in a payout to Wright's family. She said she got rid of her old car, because her kids told her they were embarrassed to ride in anything else. Both say their legal battle is not about the money but about doing what is best for Lorenzen's six children, five of whom are still minors.
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