All night now., Lorenzens spirit been with me the whole time, she said. Coffee urged Marion to remember the good things and celebrate Lorenzen's life, as she nodded in agreement with Coffee's words. Days later, police discovered the distressed caller was 34-year-old former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Martin said he told detectives in 2012 where the gun was located. No arrests have been made and Memphis police will not discuss whether they have a motive or suspects. 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. Ms. Learn more about managing a memorial . 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. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. His death came as a shock to the world of the National Basketball Association. GREAT NEWS! Martin told prosecutor Paul Hagerman that he was in Batesville, Mississippi, at the time of the shooting just after midnight on 19 July 2010. 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. With that bond, Sherra sat in jail for the entirety of her trial until her conviction. 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. 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. The 6-foot-11 forward-center was drafted No. A motive for the slaying was not clear, though Hagerman said the killers were driven by jealousy and greed. Money the motive behind ex-wifes 2010 plot to kill retired NBA "It's a celebration for me because we've got somebody elseyou know for actually doing what they did," Said Deborah Marion, Lorenzen's mother, after the guilty verdict was delivered. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? I wasn't gonna never get tired until I die 'cause somebody had to pay for killing my child.. Phoenix Obituaries | Obits for the Phoenix, AZ Area - Legacy.com For over a decade, Deborah Marion has been fighting for answers. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of multiple gunshots. Each child was wearing a different team hat from their father's 13 year NBA career. 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. 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 is charged with conspiring with Wright's ex-wife in the slaying. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. 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. Authorities also discovered that Sherra was the trustee of Wrights $1 million life insurance policy. Wright spent five of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the team from the city he was born. Wright's six children and ex-wife were in the procession, trailed by his father, Herb Wright, who uses a wheelchair. Wrights decomposing body was found riddled with bullet wounds in a swampy field in east Memphis on July 28, 2010. Oops, we were unable to send the email. 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 But I want you to call them, [and say], 'No its OK to talk to grandma, grandma still loves you.' Deborah Marion in court in March of 2022. I think she is a calculating, heartless person.. Lorenzen Wright Add to your scrapbook. Among the mourners was Wrights ex-wife Sherra, whom he had met when he was 16 and she was 21. 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. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. 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. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. / CBS News. Both Wright Robinson and Turner were arrested and charged in December 2017. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Martin was convicted and is currently serving prison time, in that case. 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. Fans, friends, family honor Lorenzen Wright at memorial (An exclusive clip is above.). 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. Outside the courtroom, Marion told reporters she was elated with the verdict. Update: NBA Player Lorenzen Wrights Wife Denied Parole After In March, Billy Ray Turner, identified as another suspect in the murder, was sentenced to life in prison for murder, attempted murder and conspiracy. Sherra Wright entered a surprise guilty plea to facilitation of murder in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. She feared that Mr. Wright would never leave her alone, and she recruited Billy Turner to kill Mr. Wright, Ganguli said. "That's the biggest service you could pay him.". Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright Sr. was born in Memphis but lived as a youth Oxford, Miss. A Murder in Memphis debuts Wednesday, July 14, at 9 p.m. 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. There is a problem with your email/password. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. His mother filed a missing persons report on July 22. The seven-year investigation into Lorenzen Wrights murder was one of the Memphis Police Departments most high-profile unsolved cases. 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. Investigators began monitoring Wright Robinsons and Turners cell phones and alleged that they had learned incriminating information. "At 12:12, Mr. [Jimmie] Martin's phone is calling Mr. Turner's phone at the same that Mr. Lorenzen is calling 911," Sgt. 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. Their arrest came after a gun that was allegedly used to shoot Wright was found in a Walnut, Mississippi, lake. Woman Found Dead in Park Charged with Murder, Ga. Police Officer Arrested After Naked Body of Missing 16-Year-Old Girl Found in Woods, Ga. Woman Was Killed Inside Car Dealership, Suspect Is Business Partner She Used to Date, Md. Sherra Wright, the ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright, has pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder in the death of the former NBA player and will receive a 30-year prison sentence. Family and friends started to worry when days passed and Wright didnt return their phone calls. It all began in July 2010. In November, 2017, Jimmie Martin led police to the lake in Walnut, Mississippi, where the murder weapon had been dumped. Evans told the courtroom. 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. Turner and Martin returned home without killing anyone. He will be sentenced for the other charges at a later date. 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. RELATED: Bond Set At $20 Million For Sherra Wright In Lorenzen Wright Murder Case. Mom. In July 2019, his ex-wife, Sherra WrightRobinson, pleaded guilty to facilitating his death. A little over a month later, Sherra Wright was arrested in California, along with Billy Ray Turner in Memphis. Wright said she had been taking classes inside prison and will have an outside support system. Editor's note: Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports 1 collaborated on a three-part investigation looking into the 2010 murder of ex-NBA playerLorenzenWright. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Spectators gathered around the scene of the crime, including Lorenzen's former teammates Penny Hardaway and Elliot Perry. 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. It was later found by FBI divers. He was 34. 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. Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wright had movie star looks with an infectious smile, and served as the team's leader. Lorenzen Wright She will be eligible for parole as early as May 2027. 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 "There's no reason for anybody to take him like this.". 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. Try again later. Jeffrey L. Archie told the audience that he may never understand why someone would kill his brother. 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. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Are you sure that you want to delete this 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. "But we got him now. It was later found by FBI divers. At the time, Wright Robinson claimed to investigators that Wright was connected to drugs. Martin was convicted and is currently serving prison time in that case. based on information from your browser. Murdered Former NBA Player Lorenzen Wright Marion was present for the entire trial, giving her testimony on the first day, waiting patiently for justice to be served. This is a carousel with slides. 0 cemeteries found in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Turner is serving a 16-year prison sentence on the separate gun charge. He was supposed to have been coming to the baby shower. Born Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright, he attended Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis), and played collegiate basketball at the University of Memphis. The jury heard a chilling 911 call made by Lorenzen Wright that captured the pop-pop-pop sound of mutiple gunshots. Money, Marion said. In 2017, a huge break came in the investigation. Now that Lorenzen's murder has finally been solved, Memphis can move forward, towards remembering the good times with their hometown star. 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.