GUILTY TN - NBA Star Lorenzen Wright, 34, Collierville, 18 July 2010 *Arrests*

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With trial date set in death of NBA player Lorenzen Wright, his mother now can 'breathe' (with clip)

Nov. 29, 2018

"Nearly a decade after NBA star Lorenzen Wright was found shot to death in Southeast Shelby County, his ex-wife, Sherra Wright and co-defendant Billy Ray Turner, will stand trial for his murder.

A trial date of Sept. 16, 2019, was set Thursday before Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee. Their next report date is Jan. 24.

Both Sherra Wright and Turner are charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Turner's bond was set at $15 million and Sherra Wright's bond is $20 million. Both remain in custody.

For Lorenzen Wright’s mother, Deborah Marion and grandmother, Louise Vassar, the trial date is a relief and moves them one more step toward closure in the violent death of Marion’s oldest child and Vassar’s oldest grandchild.

“It makes me breathe again. It makes me really feel good. My mom is crying, she's so happy to get this over with because she’s getting older. We haven’t got years and years and years to wait any longer. She’s 86. So we need to get this over with,” Marion said, as her mother softly thanked Jesus for this significant piece of progress.

“I can’t hardly wait until September, but God is on our side,” Vassar said...."

With trial date set in death of NBA player Lorenzen Wright, his mother now can 'breathe'

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Tension between Lorenzen's mother and Sherra Wright continues as trial date is set (with clip)

Nov 29, 2018

"....“I’m ready. Because we need to get this over with,” Deborah Marion, Lorenzen’s Wright’s mother, told FOX13 after the court proceedings concluded...."

Tension between Lorenzen's mother and Sherra Wright continues as trial date i

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I am watching a show on the ID channel right now about Lorenzon Wright. It is very interesting, They are just now getting into the Sharra part. Before they were talking about how Sharra went thru over $1 million dollars in 10 months.

60 MINIn July 2010, a hometown NBA hero was gunned down in the woods in Memphis, TN. Seven years later, police get a tip that would lead to three possible suspects. Who killed basketball star Lorenzen Wright? James Brown investigates.LORENZEN WRIGHT: NO DEFENSE

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Thank you! I just tuned in. And have the recording set for 3am showing. I'll watch it all over and over. Not sure if I've seen this one yet.
I am watching a show on the ID channel right now about Lorenzon Wright. It is very interesting, They are just now getting into the Sharra part. Before they were talking about how Sharra went thru over $1 million dollars in 10 months.



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That has to be CRAZY. To THINK you are making a quick trip to the convenience store and maybe back home or on to the next errand/adventure. All to be AMBUSHED by police and NEVER see the free world again... or for a very long time.
 
Changes could be coming after 'stack of motions' filed in Lorenzen Wright murder case (with clip)

Jan 24, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The trial for the individuals charged with the murder of ex-basketball star Lorenzen Wright won’t begin for several more months, but changes to the framework of the trial could be in motion.

Sherra Wright and Billy Turner are accused of killing Lorenzen Wright. The trial for the murder charge is slated to begin September 16, 2019.

Lorenzen Wright was last seen alive on July 18, 2010 when he left the home of Sherra Wright. The next day, police received a phone call from his cell phone, but it was interrupted by gunfire, according to Shelby County District Attorney's Office....

On January 24, Juni Ganguli, Sherra Wright's attorney, filed a 'stack of motions' related to the case. .

Motions were filed for:

• Suppress communications from the wiretap of Sherra’s phone – meaning calls from Sherra’s cellphone
• Change the venue of the trial or get jurors from outside of the Memphis area, more specifically Davidson County
• Notice of intent by the state to use evidence – meaning which calls state (prosecutors) are going to use during the trial
• A juror questionnaire...

Judge Lee Coffee said he hopes the trial be concluded by the end of the year. Previously in court, he expressed gratitude for the patience shown by Deborah Marion, who is Lorenzen's mother.

Marion told FOX13 she expected the mental evaluation to show Sherra was competent -- saying she did not believe the accused killer is crazy. The report did determine Sherra was mentally fit to stand trial...."

Changes could be coming after 'stack of motions' filed in Lorenzen Wright murder case
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Shocking new details from Sherra Wright's defense team (with clip)

Jan 25, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Reginald Robinson was once married to Sherra Wright, according to a marriage license obtained by FOX13.

Shelby County said Robinson has been a sheriff’s deputy since 1999, now he’s a witness in former NBA star Lorenzen Wright’s murder trial, according to the defense attorney, Juni Ganguli.

“One of the allegations is Sherra was sitting around and talking about how to kill Lorenzen,” Ganguli said. “It’s something that we don’t think actually happened, but one of the witnesses says that Reginald Robinson was around when this meeting occurred.” ...

Sherra Wright’s defense team filed a motion for specific discovery regarding witnesses Reginald Robinson and Kenny Brown.

Brown was named in the affidavit for the search warrant of Sherra’s phone.

Sherra’s defense attorney said Wright’s ex-husband, Robinson is named about five times throughout the discovery- once in a statement by Wright’s cousin, Jimmy Martin regarding the murder weapon. ..."

LORENZEN WRIGHT TRIAL: Shocking new details from Sherra Wright's defense team
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Judge tells Sherra Wright attorneys not to sell Shelby jurors short in setting May 28 court date

February 08, 2019

"Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee Friday told attorneys for Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner not to sell Shelby County jurors short in requesting a jury from another county to hear the murder case against them in the death of Wright's ex-husband, Lorenzen Wright Jr.

Coffee set a May 28 court date to decide on the request. Wright and Turner were back in court Friday to find out about the change of venue motion and a plethora of other motions the defense filed in the case over the past month....

During Friday’s report hearing, the judge also set a trial date of June 17 for Turner’s separate gun charges. Turner, a convicted felon, had two guns at his home when he was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Lorenzen Wright.

Turner and Sherra Wright will be tried on Sept. 16 in Lorenzen Wright’s slaying, and his mother Deborah Marion is ready for the trial to get underway...."

Judge tells Sherra Wright attorneys not to sell Shelby jurors short in setting May 28 court date - The Daily Memphian
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Judge requests TBI expedite DNA testing in Lorenzen Wright murder case (with clip)

February 8, 2019

"MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Sherra Wright and Billy Turner, accused of killing former Memphis Grizzlies star Lorenzen Wright, made another court appearance Friday morning.

Sherra Wright, Lorenzen’s ex-wife, and Turner were both charged with Lorenzen Wright’s 2010 murder in 2017.

The murder trial is scheduled for September 16, but defense attorneys have filed a host of motions in preparation for the case--including a motion to suppress communications derived from wiretap and a motion to change the venue or bring jurors from a separate county....

Friday, Coffee had a strong message for TBI agents. He said he wants the DNA testing for the case to be expedited so it won’t affect the upcoming September trial.

“Let them know that whatever is pending, testing at TBI that it needs to be done immediately. Tell them that Judge Coffee is ordering that it be done,” said Judge Coffee...."

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Change of venue request withdrawn in Lorenzen Wright murder case (with clip)

MAY 28, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Residents of Shelby County will make up the jury on the Lorenzen Wright murder trial, which is scheduled for later this year.

In court on Tuesday, the judge stated that Sherra Wright's attorney had withdrawn their previous motion for a change of venue. They had originally asked that the jury be selected out of Davidson County, Tennessee, claiming there's too much publicity and hate for her here to get a fair trial.

Judge Coffee stated the lawyers, as well as the court, are now confident that is not the case....

Now they will focus on the juror questionnaire to weed out those who may be biased, since Sherra's attorneys say she has been attacked on social media...

The attorneys also want to suppress wire-tapped conversations from their clients cell phones....

And they want prosecutors to reveal any deals they made with witnesses....

Sherra Wright and Billy Turner will be back in court Thursday morning, May 30, to discuss whether those wire-tapped phone calls can be used at the trial in September. Turner's trial on a separate gun charge is set for June 17.

We also noticed dark marks on Sherra Wright's face while she was in court Tuesday. We asked her attorney Juni Ganguli what happened. He said Sherra had not been in any fights, it was just a skin condition."

Change of venue request withdrawn in Lorenzen Wright murder case
 
April Thompson‏Verified account @AThompson_WREG3 4h4 hours ago
Sherra Wright and Billy Turner back in court today to see if wire tapped phone calls will be allowed in their trial for the murder of basketball stand-out Lorenzen Wright. @3onyourside

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Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Sherra Wright and Billy Turner have entered the court room. Their lawyers are motioning to limit wire tap evidence in their trial

(video clip: Jalyn Souchek on Twitter )


Kody Leibowitz‏Verified account @kodyleibowitz 4h4 hours ago
SHERRA WRIGHT/BILLY TURNER: @FOX13Memphis is in court as we await the next motion in the Lorenzo Wright murder trial.


Kody Leibowitz‏Verified account @kodyleibowitz 4h4 hours ago
The motion under consideration is to suppress communications derived from a wiretap.
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Kody Leibowitz‏Verified account @kodyleibowitz 4h4 hours ago
Inside Judge Lee Coffee’s courtroom, it was just announced that Sherra Wright and Billy Turner have not been brought over yet. Their motion hearing was supposed to start at 10:30. We’re delayed at the moment.


Kody Leibowitz‏Verified account @kodyleibowitz 3h3 hours ago
NOW: Sherra Wright and Billy Turner walking into courtroom. Tune into @FOX13Memphis online now to watch the latest hearing.

(video clip: Kody Leibowitz on Twitter )


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Prosecution is defending grounds for the wire tap. Defense claims there wasn’t probable cause

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Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Defense is asking the state order the officer involved in the wire tap be produced to talk about what their probable cause was behind the wire tap


Kody Leibowitz‏Verified account @kodyleibowitz 2h2 hours ago
After arguments from the State and Defense for Sherra Wright, Judge Coffee talks for about 10 minutes about why he won’t rule for the wiretap suppression motion.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Judge says the wire tap wouldn’t have been allowed by previous judge if there wasn’t sufficient grounds for it.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Sidebar: Both Wright’s & Turner’s lawyers previously said the wire tap didn’t have incriminating evidence of their clients which they are currently trying to overturn.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
In their appeal, the defense presented a claim that Jimmy Martin, the state’s prime witness, is the one that killed Lorenzen Wright.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Judge said other confidential witnesses came forward against Wright and Turner, not just Martin.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Judge said there’s no grounds for him to second guess the probable cause . He says probable cause in it is “overwhelming”


Kody Leibowitz‏Verified account @kodyleibowitz 2h2 hours ago
Three major reasons why he won’t rule for the warrant: 1) can’t find any appellate cases that would give him authority to rule for motion; 2) he has no grounds to second guess previous judge that allowed wiretap; 3) Supreme Court says he can’t even if he could second guess.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Defense’s second motion is limit which calls can be presented. State says they will not present them all because there are “thousands”. They’ll have to later present which calls they’ll use.


Jalyn Souchek‏ @Local24Jalyn 2h2 hours ago
Judge will submit questionnaire for prospective jurors on August 30. That will start the process of going through 200 jurors for the September trial.


April Thompson‏Verified account @AThompson_WREG3 1h1 hour ago

Judge says wire tap of Sherra Wright and Billy Turner’s phone will be used at trial. Sherra’s attorneys say Jimmy Martin, Sherra’s cousin, is the killer and got immunity in another case for leading them to the gun and Sherra and Billy. @3onyourside

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Judge denies motion to suppress wiretap in Lorenzen Wright murder case

May 30, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. - For the second time in three days, the accused killers of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright will be in court.

Thursday’s hearing for both Sherra Wright and Billy Turner will focus on a motion to exclude the wiretap phone calls on Sherra’s phone as evidence.

Their attorneys said the state didn’t meet their burden to obtain them.

Before the hearing, the judge called a recess to be able to read over the 80-page sealed file regarding the wiretaps. ..."

Judge rules wiretap in Lorenzen Wright murder case is admissible
 
Man accused in Lorenzen Wright’s murder begins trial for separate charge

June 17, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Billy Turner, the man accused of killing former Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright, is set to begin a separate trial Monday.

The trial is for being in possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, a charge that a grand jury indicted Turner on last year....

Last March, Shelby County prosecutors said they would not see the death penalty for either--a decision made at the request of Lorenzen’s family.

Wright and Turner will go on trial for the murder in September."

Man accused in Lorenzen Wright’s murder begins trial for separate charge
 
Billy Turner accepts plea deal in case not related to upcoming Lorenzen Wright murder trial (with clip)

Jun 17, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) - Monday afternoon, in a surprise twist, one of the people accused of killing Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright in 2010 pleaded guilty on an unrelated case.

48-year-old Billy Turner agreed to a plea deal connected to two convicted felon in possession of a weapon charges. The plea deal for Turner stems from a search warrant and two guns found at Turner’s home following his December 2017 arrest for Lorenzen Wright’s murder.

The stunner came as jury selection was already underway, but those prospective jurors now won’t be needed....

Turner’s attorney said while he accepts responsibility for having the shotgun, his client maintains his innocence in Lorenzen Wright’s murder.

“He's never said that he had a firearm related to killing anyone at all and stand on that,” John Keith Perry said. “We are going to prepare for that trial.”

Sentencing tied to Monday’s guilty plea is set for July 26th.

The murder trial of Lorenzen Wright is scheduled to begin in September. Wright’s ex-wife Sherra Wright is also charged in that murder...."

Billy Turner accepts plea deal in case not related to upcoming Lorenzen Wright murder trial
 
Trial nears on the 9th anniversary of Lorenzen Wright’s murder (with clip)

Jul 19, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. (LocalMemphis.com) — In the early hours of July 19, 2010, Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright was shot to death. Unlike all previous anniversary’s of his passing, this could be the last chapter in the story of his murder with a trial fast approaching. ...

With their trial date closing in, Lorenzen Wright’s family hopes it’ll bring the closure and justice they’ve waited nine years for.

“Let me breathe again, it makes me really feel good because my mom is crying, she’s so happy, get this over with, because she’s getting older, we don’t have years and years and years to wait any longer, she’s 86, so we need to get this over with,” Lorenzen’s mother Deborah Marion told Local 24 News following a court proceeding earlier this year.
Sherra Wright and Billy Turner are scheduled to stand trial in September...."

Trial nears on the 9th anniversary of Lorenzen Wright’s murder
 
The ex-wife of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday for her role in his 2010 shooting death in Memphis.

Appearing in in a Shelby County court, the defendant, Sherra Wright, pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder and facilitation of a criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder. Then, Judge Lee Coffee imposed the sentence.

Ex-wife of slain former NBA player sentenced to 30 years
 
Sherra Wright guilty plea: What's next for Billy Ray Turner?

July 25, 2019

"Now that Sherra Wright has pleaded guilty to participation in the killing of her ex-husband, NBA star Lorenzen Wright, will she testify against her alleged co-conspirator, Billy Turner?

Asked that question Thursday, prosecutor Paul Hagerman wouldn't comment.

However, Juni Ganguli, one of Sherra Wright's defense attorneys, was more definite.

“She does not have to testify against anybody,” he said.

Asked specifically if she was going to testify against Billy Turner, Ganguli said, “No sir. She is not going to testify against Billy Turner.”

He said that one of the factors that led the defense to seek a plea deal was fear that Billy Turner would testify against her. The prosecution alleged that Sherra Wright planned the killing of Lorenzen Wright along with Turner and a third man — Jimmie Martin — who was not charged.

Turner's trial on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and criminal attempt-first degree murder is currently scheduled to go ahead as planned on Sept. 16.

Turner was scheduled to appear in court Friday for sentencing in a gun case. However, the sentencing was re-set for August 8 because an attorney wasn't available, Judge Lee Coffee said. ..."

Sherra Wright guilty plea: What's next for Billy Ray Turner?
 
Suspect in NBA player's death gets 16 years on gun charge

Aug 8, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man charged with killing former NBA player Lorenzen Wright has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on a separate gun charge.

Judge Lee Coffee sentenced Billy Turner during a hearing Thursday in Memphis.

Turner pleaded guilty in June to possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. Prosecutors say Turner had two guns when he was charged in December 2017 with Wright's killing....

Turner's trial in the killing is set for Sept. 16. Turner has pleaded not guilty...."

Suspect in NBA player's death gets 16 years on gun charge
 
Discipline records reveal Sherra Wright’s behavioral issues behind bars (with clip)

August 9, 2019

"MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Sherra Wright has started her state prison sentence after pleading guilty to faciliting the murder of her ex-husband Lorenzen Wright.

WMC Action News 5 obtained documents that show Wright was anything but a model inmate during her time in County Custody. A 206-page document detailed every time Wright was disciplined from the time she walked into Jail in January of 2018 until she was transferred to the Tennessee Prison for Women July of 2019.
The report recorded 50 different incidents....

...Still no word if Wright will testify against her co-defendant Billy Ray Turner when he heads to trial in September."

Discipline records reveal Sherra Wright’s behavioral issues behind bars
 

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