Sherra Wright faces a charge of first-degree murder for his death. He played for the Memphis Tigers in college and the Memphis Grizzlies during his 13 seasons as a forward and center in the NBA. "I absolutely think that he did not do it.". Kelvin Cowans: I can't say it didn't work out because she was a awful person, but there were signs of greed that I wasn't used to. After word reached Simeon of the shooting, all of the members of the basketball team were called out of their classes and brought into the teachers' lounge where they were kept for the rest of that day. 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. After finding the gun, the case took an unexpected turn. By early 2014, almost four years after the murder, Sherra had moved on and remarried. [1][2][3][4][5], At the time of the shooting, Wilson was seventeen years old and had just started his senior year at Simeon. July 27, 2019 / 11:03 PM But those in Wrights corner said some of his ex-wife's behavior was unusual. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Central Catholic guard Chase Fisher (11) celebrates on Thursday during IHSA Class 2A Boys Basketball at State Farm Center in Champaign. In 1996, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers. After Derrick Rose graduated from Simeon in 2007, the school stopped issuing the number and in 2009, it was finally retired in honor of both Rose and Wilson. And --and he'd get tired of it, he'd sell it, just simply put. 10. The prosecution's lead witness was Jetun Rush, who testified to that effect. That's what I came to know, just how! Decisions unfortunately, still made along racial lines. Phil Dotson: Lorenzen was in high school playing for Sherra's father and she would come to practices. Dixon's attorney, Brian Dosch, called his client's confession "garbage" and destroyed a copy of it in front of reporters. The chilling recording captured the 34-year-old's dying word: "Goddamn." SHERRA WRIGHT: No, April. April Thompson | WREG reporter: I was surprised that she agreed to the interview. Hasib Neaz was waiting for death metal band Morbid Angel to take the stage at Belvidere's Apollo Theatre as howling winds slammed a fire door open and shut again and again. That ended in July 2010 during a call to 911. Marion is forced to wait longer for a resolution. Wright was known for his hard work on the court, but it was his work off the court that truly endeared him to his fans at home. But he left nice looking kids here for his grandma. April Thompson, an investigative reporter at WREG, the CBS affiliate in Memphis, was on this story from the start. Cowans, a journalist, started dating Wright Robinson that same year even though he admits their relationship crossed a professional line. And that caused severe issues between him and his wife. Even though Cowans had heard the rumors about Sherra's involvement with Lorenzen's murder, he remained devoted to her. He loved children. Lorenzen's ex-wife, Sherra, went on the news -- appearing shaken. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Wrights death shook his hometown of Memphis. The stage was set for Wright Robinson and Turner to be tried together, but that all changed when Turner was faced with another legal matter. Gayle Rose: He was one young man who was working to make a difference and he symbolized hope in our community. Wright Robinson, however, also claimed to investigators that there was a drug connection. [I thought] I cannot believe that your apex of life is still, How much money can I get? Cowans said. Loved ones said he had finally found his footing in life. With the community still in shock, the city's mayor, A.C. Wharton, made this promise: Mayor A.C.Whatron [At memorial]: We are working night and day And that justice will be done. Marc Perrusquia: It's huge. In closing arguments, Perry said Martins crazy, contrived' story was not believable. Instead, he called for help. he's a cold-hearted murderer. Dr. Bill Adkins: And I turned on the television And -- I saw Deborah, his mom -- running down the road, tryin' to get to his body It was a total shock. Wright is believed to have been killed on July 19, 2010, when gunshots were heard during his 911 call. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman: that they were going to Lorenzen Wright's house in Atlanta, Georgia, to murder. His name is Jimmie Martin, a convicted murderer currently serving time in prison. Three months after the murder, she agreed to talk to April Thompson. Dr. Bill Adkins: They questioned, was he doin' it for laundering money? Turner had already pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon as a convicted felon after he was found with two guns when he was arrested in Wrights killing in 2017. The couple eventually started dating and had their first child together -- a son named Lorenzen Jr. Marc Parrusquia: she was at the spotlight of this whole thing as -- as, you know, kind of, you know, seemingly suspect number one. Murder of the Basketball Star. Sherra was the first. Moore yelled up the street at Wilson to watch where he was going. One weekend, Wright flew home to Memphis to attend his daughter's dance recital and his sister's baby shower. Phil Dotson: He was always a pillar in the community. Adreian Payne was a star big man on the Michigan State Spartans basketball team under Tom Izzo, went No. Wilson's temper eventually would get the best of him as he shoved a teacher to the floor when the teacher tried to break up another argument between the two. I think Lorenzen was killed for money. Lorenzen went on to dazzle fans at the University of Memphis, but not for long. But rumors don't equal proof, and police director Toney Armstrong's tenure had come to an end. Wilson did not fully understand why Rush had pushed him away and as time went on, it started to have an effect on him. Im like, 'If shed done something, theyd have her by now. I mean I never wouldve moved away with her if I thought she was a killer, said Cowans. Marc Perrusquia: A cloud's hung over this city for some time. Once celebrated as one of Memphis' favorite sons, the memory of Lorenzen Wright still haunts this town. Both of these statements were later recanted, but the boys were still charged with murder after questioning and the state of Illinois elected to try them both as adults due to the serious nature of their actions. The night after falling 103-101 at Philadelphia, Tatum is sitting with a bruised left hip. Maybe I've been looking at guilt. April Thompson: His mother told me directly, "I have had to live with the loss of a son. I wanted to deliver that news to her. James Brown: How unusual is it to find a key piece of evidence some seven years later? Her perfume was unfair, you know, and so, that's how it all started I had never interviewed a woman and then dated her, never crossed the line. This eventually led them to Wrights remains in a wooded area on a desolate road that he used to take to get to his mothers house. The pair eventually moved to Houston together with Wright Robinson's kids. She also claimed armed men wearing trench coats had recently come to the home looking for Wright. Finally, nine years after the tragic death of Lorenzen Wright, this plea offers some solace to his mother and maybe a measure of closure for the city of Memphis -- still in mourning for its favorite son. One, a previous murder attempt by Wright and Turner. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman: Martin stated he accompanied Billy Turner to a lake, where Billy Turner disposed of a handgun that was used to murder Lorenzen Wright. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. It was later found by FBI divers. Always would -- would be one of the first ones to raise their hand when the team would ask for a player to go into a children's hospital, or to go and speak at a school or an event. On July 25, 2019, Wright Robinson agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to the facilitation of first-degree murder. Did you encounter any technical issues? It wasnt revisited until nine days later while the Memphis Police Department investigated Wrights disappearance. [7] Wilson turned and went back toward Moore, with an argument leading to Moore eventually drawing the pistol. Ben Wilson, an American high school basketball star from Neal F. Simeon High School in Chicago, Illinois, USA, was shot in the neighborhood surrounding the school during its lunch hour on November 20, 1984. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered. appreciated. 
Why it took that long remains a question. 
Most troubling for Lorenzen's family was that he seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Marc Perrusquia: We talk about big murders in the history of Memphis. It was just unbelievable that he was dead. He called Dotson and the two arranged to hang out. The two boys were brought into interrogation rooms and questioned by detectives for most of the night, eventually signing statements of confession. 
Her lawyer, Juni Ganguli, said, We told her, if Billy testifies against you, its going to be disastrous.". SHERRA WRIGHT [WREG NEWS REPORT]: He wasn't able to spend the night because he wasn't here quite that long, but he ran out and he never came back. I never got that with Sherra. Just wanted him dead. His body was found in a wooded area in southeast Memphis nine days later. Although he skyrocketed into the fast life of the NBA, Wrights childhood friends said that he never lost touch with his roots. Murphy met up with the two boys shortly thereafter, and Moore and Dixon followed her to a luncheonette on South Vincennes Avenue. The call came in to a 911 dispatcher in Germantown, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis. April Thompson: His mother Deborah, really kind of pushed that something's not right, and made people realize that he wouldn't have been gone this long that no one heard from him. Her father was one of Wright's high school coaches. Phil Dotson: Being married, and having kids at such an early age He was, I think, forced to be an adult really quick. SHERRA WRIGHT [WREG NEWS REPORT]: He was fine. And fight they did. At the time, a review by the Germantown Police Department concluded that the dispatchers had properly followed procedures. WREG NEWS REPORT: Police in Memphis, Tennessee, have found the body of former NBA player, Lorenzen Wright. Deborah Marion: [to reporters on Feb. 26] This is hard, but I'm glad. "We literally threw everything we had at this investigation. She was going through a divorce, and so she felt like it would be a new start for her and the kids as well, and I was like, "OK, let's do it.". Please enter valid email address to continue. Martin testified that he and Turner met with Sherra Wright to plan the killing and went to Lorenzen Wrights condominium in Atlanta to shoot him, with an understanding that he would get paid. 2. Neither Turner nor Sherra Wright testified during the trial. James Brown: Who is Billy Ray Turner and how does he fit into the case? When he saw the announcement of her arrest on the news, Cowans was blown away. Find directions to Fawn Creek, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and The night before he was killed, Damien Servidio was in his element. Turner, a previously convicted felon on unrelated charges that stemmed from a case in the early 1990s, was found in illegal possession of a gun when he was arrested for murder in the Wright case. Toney Armstrong served with the Memphis Police Department for 27 years and was their deputy director back then. Ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright pleads guilty in killing of former NBA star, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Kelvin Cowans: she's telling me about it and she's asking me, "What should I do about this money? Toney Armstrong: I can tell you that we threw everything but the kitchen sink at this investigation. Three years later and after three hours of deliberation, a jury found Turner guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy. 
Toney Armstrong: When you have a murder, the persons close to them is the -- most obvious person. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? When I saw him, I knew instantly [that Wright Robinson] used him because that's not what she want[ed]. Deborah Marion [yells in court]: How could you murder my son? the investigators that took a part in this investigation -- should be celebrated, you know, at this point. He would sign every autograph that he came across. Dr. Bill Adkins: If Lorenzen had never made the NBA, he'd be alive and well right now. Did she have a financial motive in all of this, because here's a quick $1 million. He had only been retired one year at the time of his murder. Then, seven long years after the murder, police got the break they needed. He was released on parole in 2000. This is what I told her Sherra, where is he? I was like, Shes baring all, said Kelvin Cowans, referring to the book. Billy Moore appears in the film to give his side of the story for the first time; he reiterated the claim made by his attorney at his trial, that he only shot Wilson out of fear for his own life. Wright and Turner pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the indictments revealed two startling claims. 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. 
WebFawn Creek KS Community Forum. I mean, because, you know, we kept hearin' these things about Sherra. Over the next few years, Lorenzen and Sherra separated and later divorced. Then, on July 28 -- 10 days after Lorenzen was last seen -- Shelby County authorities were finally told about the 911 call. And the killers had a nine-day head start. The night before he was killed, Damien Servidio was in his element. Prosecutors say he claimed he participated in the planning to kill Wright with Wright Robinson and another man named Billy Ray Turner but that the attempt was foiled. Thats all I want is my grandkids., I just hate what happened to my child, Marion continued, speaking to Sherra. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The DEA ultimately found no drug connection between Lorenzen and Cole. Toney Armstrong: I wanted to be able to make that phone call to her and tell her, you know, that we found the person responsible for this. Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman is one of Shelby County's best prosecutors, but he's trying to manage expectations. Toney Armstrong: What was different about this particular case is that you're nine days behind. The case went cold for seven years before the players ex-wife, Sherra Wright, and Billy Ray Turner were arrested in December 2017. That Lorenzen didn't really know Bobby Cole. 
You know, Memphis basketball was literally everything. Lorenzen Wright death: Ex-wife Sherra Wright's guilty plea In court, prosecutors said the break had come from Wright Robinson's cousin, Jimmie Martin. He was 19 years old. San Diego State Aztecs. August is the hottest month for Fawn Creek with an average high temperature of 91.2, Marc Parrusquia: A lotta people, when they talk about Billy Ray Turner, his friends and congregants out there, they say, "Hey, no. Martin alleged that a metal detector was used to try to find a gun that had been dropped during the crime, and that he and Turner then drove to the lake in Mississippi where Turner disposed of a gun, according to prosecutors. 15 overall in 2014 NBA draft. Just this week, a surprise development in one of Memphis, Tennessee's, biggest murder cases. In 2019, Sherra Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder. We really wanted to solve it. Sherra now has two court appointed attorneys: Juni Ganguli and Laurie Hall. Nine people in total were shot, police said. She said she would visit her sons grave Monday night. 
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