Tennessee man gets life in prison for murder of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A jury on Monday convicted a Tennessee man within the slaying of former NBA participant Lorenzen Wright, whose bullet-riddled physique was present in a area practically 12 years in the past in his hometown of Memphis.
The 12-person jury deliberated for about two hours earlier than it discovered Billy Ray Turner responsible of first-degree homicide, tried homicide and conspiracy within the loss of life of Wright, a 6-foot, 11-inch heart who performed 13 seasons within the NBA earlier than he retired after the 2008-2009 season. Shelby County Legal Courtroom Choose Lee Espresso sentenced Turner, 51, to life in jail for the homicide conviction. He can be sentenced for the opposite prices at a later date.
Espresso referred to as Wright “a sacred son” of Memphis and instructed his mom, Deborah Marion, that the trial won't carry her closure however to “have a good time the great” about her son.
The slaying is likely one of the most extremely publicized homicide circumstances in Memphis historical past. Wright’s decomposing physique was discovered riddled with bullet wounds in a swampy area in east Memphis on July 28, 2010. The 34-year-old father of six had been lacking for days earlier than his physique was found.
Turner had already pleaded responsible to possessing a weapon as a convicted felon after he was discovered with two weapons when he was arrested in Wright’s killing in 2017. Turner is serving a 16-year jail sentence on the separate gun cost.
Prosecutors allege Wright’s ex-wife, Sherra Wright, masterminded a plan to kill her ex-husband and recruited Turner and her cousin, Jimmie Martin, to assist her.
Turner and Sherra Wright had been indicted in December 2017, greater than seven years after the killing. Sherra Wright entered a shock responsible plea to facilitation of homicide in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in jail.
Turner is a landscaper who knew Sherra Wright from church and, in accordance with prosecutors, had a secret romantic relationship together with her.
On the time of Wright’s slaying, Martin was going through prices of killing his girlfriend, and he stated his cousin helped pay a part of his authorized charges. Martin was convicted and is at present serving jail time, in that case. He has acquired immunity from prosecution within the Wright case.
Martin testified that Sherra Wright recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen Wright. Components of his testimony had been challenged by protection lawyer John Keith Perry, who stated the data Martin gave to investigators was a farce and stuffed with lies.
Martin testified that he and Turner met with Sherra Wright to plan the killing and went to Lorenzen Wright’s condominium in Atlanta to shoot him, with an understanding that he would receives a commission.
Armed with handguns, Turner and Martin went to Wright’s rental in Atlanta, entered by means of a window and located somebody sleeping on the sofa in the lounge — nevertheless it was not Lorenzen Wright, Martin testified. Turner and Martin returned house with out killing anybody.
Martin instructed prosecutor 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 the Memphis area with Sherra Wright some days after the taking pictures and he or she basically confessed.
Lorenzen Wright was visiting Memphis from Atlanta. Sherra Wright stated she lured her ex-husband to the sphere by telling him that she was going to fulfill somebody there to get some cash, Martin testified. In keeping with Martin, she stated that she and Turner ambushed and chased Lorenzen Wright, who jumped a fence and tried to run away earlier than they shot him within the area.
The jury has heard a gunshot-filled 911 name made by Lorenzen Wright the night time of the killing.
Martin additionally stated Turner and Wright removed proof from the taking pictures scene and he went with Turner to eliminate the weapon by dumping it in a north Mississippi lake. Martin stated he instructed detectives in 2012 the place the gun was positioned. It was later discovered by FBI divers.
In closing arguments, protection lawyer John Keith Perry stated Martin’s “loopy, contrived” story was not plausible. Perry stated Martin — not Turner — was in Memphis the night time Lorenzen Wright was shot.
“You'll be able to’t actually give him a lot credit score,” Perry stated of Martin.
Prosecutor Paul Hagerman defended Martin’s testimony, saying Martin’s immunity settlement required him to inform the reality and statements given to investigators and prosecutors have been constant.
“It’s been the identical, actually, for 10 years,” Hagerman stated.
Neither Turner nor Sherra Wright testified through the trial.
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