But I want you to call them, [and say], 'No its OK to talk to grandma, grandma still loves you.' Deborah Marion was the mother of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot in 2010. THE ex-wife of a former NBA star is in prison for her role in the basketball player's horror murder in a case that shocked the nation. Some reports even claim that Loren is a registered nurse. -Follow Jay Busbee on Twitter at @jaybusbee.-, Other popular content on Yahoo! Lorenzen Wright was killed in July 2010, but the conspirators in his murder wouldn't be arrested for another seven years. Cleveland Cavaliers' Lorenzen Wright poses at the team's NBA basketball media day in Independence, Ohio. 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 . The couple had just finalized their divorce weeks before his death. ET on ESPN. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. She feared that Mr. Wright would never leave her alone, and she recruited Billy Turner to kill Mr. Wright., HEADLINES: A Tennessee judge Wednesday set a 2022 trial date for a man charged with conspiring with the ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright to kill the former NBA player nearly 11 years ago in Memphis.https://t.co/5xEMfQhsdM. Turner, a landscaper in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, and Sherra Wright attended the same church. Lorenzen's ex-wife Sherra, her landscaper Billy Ray Turner, and her cousin Jimmie Martin were all hauled in by police for questioning. "I guess when the scent of money stops being strong then the fuss will die down," said Sherra's attorney Chris Donovan. Sherra claimed she had been behaving well in prison and should be released early in a request that was denied. There was no amended plan filed after Wright left the NBA and his income dramatically declined. The episode airs at 10 p.m. Eastern time. In 2014, unhappy with the way Wright was spending her inheritance, Lorenzen's family successfully lobbied to have her name removed as a trustee of his estate in a bid to preserve the funds for the children. "My whole life has been on hold, pretty much. 0:43. He was unable to give information like a location before he was heard screaming, Hey, godd*** as multiple gunshots were heard in the background, followed by silence, Sports Illustrated reported. 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His body was found in a wooded area in southeast Memphis nine days later. Rape survivor slams Gabby Petito Utah cop over handling of her case, 'Dark details' about boyfriend of US swim champ who mysteriously died, Disturbing red flags of Lindsay Clancy's psychosis before she 'killed 3 kids', Mysterious powder swamps US skies as residents report dust-covered cars, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Lorenzen Wright (pictured) was murdered in 2010. Mar 21, 2022. 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. They bought the vacant land in 2005 and 2006 for a combined $750,000 around the time they sold their former home in Southwind. Thank you, Jesus! 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"It was just kind of a person of interest. Wright Robinsons plea deal was announced in court and the judge gave Marion the chance to address her sons ex-wife. He reportedly earned a career total $55 million. His body had gunshot wounds. Prosecutors said that Martin and Turner had previously gone to Lorenzens Atlanta apartment with guns. 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. Martin had told prosecutors that he had participated in a failed plan to kill Wright with Wright Robinson and another man named Billy Ray Turner, who was a landscaper and attended the same church as Wright Robinson. He was a power forward who played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks , Memphis Grizzlies , Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Wright, 34, had been missing for 10 days before his body was discovered. They gone., 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. And then, when she pleaded guilty of the charge of facilitating murder in the first-degree for her role in her ex-husbands murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, her children stood beside her, believing in who she was. Appeal from the Circuit Court for Shelby County No. 2023 Cable News Network. Instead of expressing outrage, Marion focused on moving forward with her six grandchildren who are said to be standing by their mother. When Wright was seven years old, Herb was working for the Memphis Police Department when he was paralyzed by a gunshot to the back.[6]. NBA star Lorenzen Wright was found murdered at the age of 34 in Memphis, Tennessee and his wife Sherra Wright, 41, is now involved in a legal battle with his father over his sons estate. A Memphis native and a 6-foot, 11-inch center who played for five teams over 13 seasons, Wright also. Both the Memphis Grizzlies and the city of Memphis offered a $5,000 reward for any information on Lorenzen's whereabouts following his disappearance. Martin recalled how Wright masterminded a plan to kill Lorenzen in Atlanta earlier in 2010 but she failed to execute the plan herself. According to prosecutors in Turners trial, Turner and Sherra had a romantic relationship. Nearly 12 years after his death rocked the basketball world, former NBA player Lorenzen Wrights murder case came to a close Monday when a Memphis jury found a man guilty of first-degree murder. 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. After her, were twins Lamar and Shamar Wright who were then followed by their youngest, another daughter, Sofia Wright, who today, is in her early teens. Hayes estate defaulted on a $1.1 million loan for the property. A 12-person jury deliberated for two hours before finding Turner guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy in Lorenzen's death on March 21, 2022. The call would later be played in court with the resounding sound of shots fired presented to the jury. His father, Herb, was a professional basketball player who competed in Finland, and once had a tryout with the Utah Jazz. The Salman Rushdie note to PEN America CEO that started backlash against Puffin for censorship of author's kids' books, 'We are on the right path': Warner Bros. A tragic discovery came 10 days after he was reported missing. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Billy Ray Turner has been found guilty on all charges, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Wright had been shot multiple times. According to prosecutors, Martin claimed that after Wright was murdered, Wright Robinson and Turner confessed to him that they did it and needed his help in disposing the evidence, which is how he knew the location of the murder weapon. On April 11, 1995, their first child Lorenzen Wright Jr. was born. Lorenzen Wrights father, Herb Wright, launched the legal battle, saying his former daughter-in-law blew the money on vacations, luxury cars, furniture, a new home and pool, and nothing was set aside for higher education or health insurance. CNNs Ralph Eliis and journalists Allen Kim and Sheena Jones contributed to this report. I just dont believe it. He was drafted in the first round as the seventh overall pick. 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"Here's the fact. People were after me. CT-002526-09 Robert L. Childers, Judge _____ No. Sherra says she delayed her honeymoon to be in court. Lorenzen Wright Jr., at the age of 25, used to work as a basketball coach and trained high school students. Martin testified in court that Sherra recruited him and Turner to kill Lorenzen. Then came their eldest daughter Loren Wright. So this is a while lot of mess about nothing," said Donovan. Wright went on to play 13 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. She was gonna get some lifetime [if the case went to trial], said Marion. near you, Up-to-date reports of crimes near April 15, 2021 at 8:56 pm CDT MEMPHIS, Tenn. Sherra Wright has sued the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for $12 million. Did you encounter any technical issues? [21][22], In a 2015 article in The Commercial Appeal, Wright-Robinson explained how she inquired early in the investigation whether she was a suspect. Martin further explained in court testimony that Sherra told him that she and Turner ambushed Lorenzen after luring him there. She then conspired with Turner to carry out the plot on her behalf in Memphis weeks later. It seems as if she has the guardianship of Sofia. Documents show Sherra spent $973,000 in the first ten months. The case went cold for seven years before the players ex-wife, Sherra Wright, and Billy Ray Turner were arrested in December 2017. [8] Wright moved on to the Atlanta Hawks in 1999, and averaged a career high 12.4 points per game with them during the 2000-01 NBA season. Deborah Marion, the mother of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Wrights supporters allege the book is fiction. The judge also routed other money, the NBA's $184,000 in death benefits, to Lorenzen Wright's father Herb to benefit the children. [Also: NBA Power Rankings: Spurs are new No. His body was found decomposing in a desolate field area near a golf course. But now, he is an employee of QC Investors and spends his time between Riverside, California, and Memphis, Tennessee, to balance his job and family life. Wright went missing on July 18, 2010, and was found shot to death 10 days later. "I need some rest, and I need a honeymoon, and I need to be with my kids, that's all," she said. 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. [13], On December 15, 2017, Wright's ex-wife Sherra Wright-Robinson was arrested in Riverside, California in connection with the murder. The proof, he says, is in the proceeding itself. His decomposed body was found riddled with bullets in a field, Lorenzen's ex-wife, Sherra Wright, pleaded guilty to a charge of facilitation of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years behind bars, A photo shows the grassy area where Lorenzen's body was found on July 29, 2010, Memphis Police surrounded the wooded area where Lorenzen was found, Billy Ray Turner, seen at a court appearance, (right) was found guilty of first-degree murder, and other charges, Sherra Wright is seen during a hearing in Judge Lee Coffee's court in Memphis, Tennessee. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Relatives and friends of Lorenzen Wright gathered Wednesday and grieved for the former NBA player who has been missing for 10 days, as police investigated the discovery of . At the time, Wright Robinson claimed to investigators that Wright was connected to drugs. Ms. Under Tennessee Law, the judge immediately sentenced Turner to life in prison. (WMC-TV) - A longstanding legal battle over Lorenzen Wright's estate returned to a Shelby County courtroom on Friday. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The gunshot-filled 911 call came into a Tennessee police department just after midnight on July 19, 2010, from the cell phone of retired NBA player Lorenzen Wright. The criminal case turned cold for the next seven years. 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. Sherra reportedly quickly went through the $1million following his death. [7] The Clippers would go on to lose the series. March 01, 2023. [12], According to his ex-wife (who was later convicted of facilitating his murder), Wright left his home in Collierville, Tennessee on the night of July 18, 2010, with drugs and an unspecified amount of money, and was not seen or heard from again. 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