Memphis, Tennessee – A jury on Monday indicted a Tennessee man for the homicide of former basketball participant Lorenzen Wright, whose bullet-ridden physique was present in a subject almost 12 years in the past in his hometown of Memphis.
The jury of 12 deliberated for about two hours earlier than discovering Billy Ray Turner responsible of first-degree homicide, tried homicide and conspiracy within the demise of Wright, a 6-foot-11-inch heart who performed 13 seasons within the NBA earlier than. Retired after the 2008-09 marketing campaign. Shelby County Felony Court docket Choose Lee Coffey has sentenced Turner, 51, to life in jail for the homicide. He will probably be charged with different prices at a later time.
Kofi Wright described him because the “holy son” of Memphis and instructed his mom, Deborah Marion, that the trial won’t finish together with her however a “celebration of goodness” about her son.
Outdoors the courtroom, Marion instructed reporters she was pleased with the decision. She stated she would go to her son’s grave on Monday night time.
“It is by no means going to be closed, as a result of I am going to by no means see my son once more,” Marion stated. “That is just a few reduction to me and my household.”
The homicide is among the commonest homicide circumstances in Memphis historical past. Wright’s decomposing physique was discovered with gunshot wounds in a swampy subject in East Memphis on July 28, 2010. The 34-year-old father had been lacking for days earlier than his physique was found.
Turner had already pleaded responsible to possession of a weapon as a convicted felon after he was discovered with two weapons when he was arrested within the Wright homicide in 2017. Turner is serving a 16-year jail sentence on a separate gun cost.
Prosecutors allege that Wright’s ex-wife, Shera Wright, masterminded a plan to kill her ex-husband and enlisted Turner and her cousin Jimmy Martin to assist her.
Turner and Shera Wright have been indicted in December 2017, greater than seven years after the murders. Shera Wright made a shocking plea of guilt for facilitating the homicide in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in jail.
Turner, a gardener, knew Shera Wright from the church, and based on prosecutors, she had a secret romantic affair together with her.
On the time of Wright’s homicide, Martin was dealing with prices of murdering his girlfriend, and stated his cousin helped pay a part of his authorized charges. Martin was convicted and is at the moment serving a jail sentence on this case. He was granted immunity from prosecution within the Wright case.
Martin testified that Shera Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. Protection legal professional John Keith Perry challenged parts of his testimony, saying the data Martin offered to investigators was farcical and stuffed with lies.
Martin testified that he and Turner met with Shera Wright to plot the homicide and went to the Lorenzen Wright condominium in Atlanta to shoot him, on the understanding that he could be paid.
Armed with pistols, Martin testified to Wright’s condominium in Atlanta, they usually entered by means of the window and located somebody sleeping on the couch in the lounge—however it wasn’t Lorenzen Wright. Turner and Martin go residence with out killing anybody.
Martin instructed Lawyer Basic Paul Hagerman that he was in Batesville, Mississippi, on the time of the taking pictures simply after midnight on July 19, 2010. Martin stated he went to a Memphis subject with Shera Wright a number of days after the taking pictures and principally confessed.
Lorenzen Wright was visiting Memphis from Atlanta. Shera Wright stated she lured her ex-husband into the sphere by telling him she was going to fulfill somebody there to get some cash, Martin testified. In accordance with Martin, she and Turner ambushed and chased after Lorenzen Wright, who jumped over a fence and tried to flee earlier than they shot him within the subject.
The jury heard a spooky 911 name made by Lorenzen Wright that picked up the pop of a number of gunshots.
Martin additionally stated that Turner and Wright disposed of proof from the taking pictures scene and went with Turner to eliminate the weapon by dumping it in a lake north of the Mississippi. Martin stated he instructed investigators in 2012 the whereabouts of the gun. It was later discovered by FBI divers.
In closing arguments, Berry stated Martin’s “loopy and contrived” story was implausible, and Berry stated Martin—not Turner—was in Memphis the night time of the taking pictures of Lorenzen Wright.
Lawyer Basic Paul Hagerman defended Martin’s testimony, saying that the immunity settlement with Martin required him to inform the reality and that statements made to investigators and prosecutors have been constant.
Lawyer Basic Austin Schofield stated Shera Wright instructed Turner throughout a gathering at her residence that Lorenzen Wright had been hit within the face.
Citing witness testimony, Schofield stated Turner responded, “What would you like me to do, Shera?”
Neither Turner nor Shera Wright testified throughout the trial.
The motive for the killing was not clear, though Hagermann stated the killers have been motivated by jealousy and greed.
Shera Wright obtained $1 million from her ex-husband’s life insurance coverage coverage and settled a court docket dispute in 2014 over how she spent insurance coverage cash supposed to profit her six kids.
Marion, the mom of the slain participant, stated she was satisfied the insurance coverage coverage was Shera Wright’s motive.
“That is what it was about. The cash,” Marion stated.
