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. Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. She knows she was fittin' to go down, down, down. 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 Turner is serving a 16-year prison sentence on the separate gun charge. 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. "We should all leave this hall with the thought that we're going to do a little bit in Lorenzen's honor to make sure things like this don't happen again," Heisley said. 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. Instead of being excited, Cowans said Wright was evasive and nervous, and doubted the gun really had been found. LORENZEN WRIGHT Professional Basketball Player. They later had six children together. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Watch the full story on "20/20" FRIDAY at 9 p.m. [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. 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. Lorenzen Wright, who played 13 years in the NBA, including five with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died. Martin said he told detectives in 2012 where the gun was located. 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Martin was convicted and is currently serving prison time, in that case. Martin testified that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. Martin has not been charged in connection with Wrights death. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Then, investigators said Turner's calls moved to a spot near the crime. "There's no reason for anybody to take him like this.". In closing arguments, defense attorney John Keith Perry said Martins crazy, contrived story was not believable. Thats what it was about. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Deborah Marion was the mother of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot in 2010. Dozens of friends and family followed, stopping before a photo of Wright, then the casket. First published on August 5, 2010 / 12:56 PM. Burial will be at the City of Mesa Cemetery. 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. It was later found by FBI divers. Sherra Wright would be eligible for parole after 30% of the sentence is served, after 9 years. "At 12:12, Mr. [Jimmie] Martin's phone is calling Mr. Turner's phone at the same that Mr. Lorenzen is calling 911," Sgt. 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. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. ", RELATED: Billy Ray Turner found guilty of first-degree murder in killing of Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright. Tell Me Anything. The supposedly fictitious story centered around the life of a woman who marries an abusive and unfaithful basketball player. cemeteries found in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first degree murder in Lorenzen's death July 25, 2019. Lorenzen Wright Way down. Billy Ray Turner in court in March of 2022. Failed to report flower. 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. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered. The 911 operator initially dismissed the call and never reported it, as no information could be obtained. A January 2022 trial date has been set for the man accused in the 2010 killing of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. WebEx-wife pleads guilty in killing of Lorenzen Wright. 0 cemeteries found in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA. Oxford, Lafayette County, Mississippi, USA. 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. She said she would visit her sons grave Monday night. To use this feature, use a newer browser. 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. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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. ). Martin said he went to the Memphis field with Sherra Wright some days after the shooting and she essentially confessed. No arrests have been made and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects. Marion, the slain players mother, said shes convinced the insurance policy was Sherra Wrights motivation. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. He said Shelby County courtrooms were not suitable for trying many cases, and certainly not cases during a pandemic. RELATED: Bond Set At $20 Million For Sherra Wright In Lorenzen Wright Murder Case. An ABC 20/20 report that aired Friday detailed the circumstances around his Memphis Police Sgt. By Dateline NBC. Try again. For more on the disturbing slaying of NBA star Lorenzen Wright, subscribe now to PEOPLE or pick up this weeks issue, on newsstands now. Tennessee man gets life in prison for murdering former NBA You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. I say Get you some rest baby. He has received immunity from prosecution in the Wright case. 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. Lorenzen / CBS News. Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wright had movie star looks with an infectious smile, and served as the team's leader. A little over a month later, Sherra Wright was arrested in California, along with Billy Ray Turner in Memphis. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The trial of Billy Ray Turner, the man accused of killing Lorenzen Wright, continued Friday morning. Wrights next parole hearing is scheduled for 2027. Call (480) 964-8686 to learn more. 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. He was supposed to have been coming to the baby shower. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wright had movie star looks with an infectious smile, and served as the team's leader. Wrights death shook his hometown of Memphis. Lorenzen Wright She was gonna get some lifetime [if the case went to trial], said Marion. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of mutiple gunshots. Wright "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. 193K views 12 years ago. 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. I cant say I was completely surprised, says Dotson. Who killed NBA star Lorenzen Wright? What we know - The Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. The plea was a surprise move to some, who saw Sherra maintain innocence during pre-trial hearings. Lorenzen Wright 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. We got this. Judge Coffee said the countys courtroom setups had been an ongoing issue that he had previously brought to the mayors attention. The night Lorenzen Wright was fatally shot. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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. Kappa Alpha Psi members pay tribute to the family and father of slain NBA basketball player Lorenzen Wright during a memorial service and funeral for Wright at But I want you to call them, [and say], 'No its OK to talk to grandma, grandma still loves you.' 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.. The 911 call came in just after midnight on July 19, 2010, to Germantown, Tennessee police. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Marion, the slain players mother, said shes convinced the insurance policy was Sherra Wrights motivation. Sherra Wright received the hearing based on her so-called "safety valve" date, which is the earliest possible release date for some inmates under an executive order regarding prison overcrowding. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Minnie Bass Lorenzen. She wasn't gonna get no few years. Check back for updates. Around midnight on July 19, 2010, Germantown Police received a fateful 911 call from 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. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of multiple gunshots. 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. 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. According to staff, Wright berated workers, stripped off her clothes, and flooded a toilet. Coffee urged Marion to remember the good things and celebrate Lorenzen's life, as she nodded in agreement with Coffee's words. FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2008, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Lorenzen Wright poses at the team's NBA basketball media day in Independence, Ohio. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Lorenzen Wright's mother speaks out on getting justice after 12 Sometime in 2012, an affidavit claims Jimmie Martin, serving time in prison for an unrelated second-degree murder charge, struck a deal with the FBI for immunity in the Lorenzen Wright case in exchange for information leading to Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner, at the time unnamed suspects. Sherra Wright was there when defendant Billy Ray Turner, 51, shot and killed her former husband, according to Shelby County prosecutor Paul "I'm just glad we got him, it took 12 years, I don't care if it took 24, if he was guilty at the end I wouldn't mind," Marion said. The criminal case turned cold for the next seven years. This is just some satisfaction for me and my family.. Love and Betrayal: the Murder of NBA Star Lorenzen Wright ET on ESPN. Itll never be closure, because Ill never see my son again, Marion said. While with the Tigers, Wright emerged as a star player, achieving All-American status, All-Great Midwest Conference and All-Conference USA honors. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Relatives and friends fought off tears as they addressed the crowd, still in disbelief at the way he died. Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. Try again later. A motive for the slaying was not clear, though Hagerman said the killers were driven by jealousy and greed. This browser does not support getting your location. He has received immunity from prosecution in the Wright case. Example video title will go here for this video. 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.