Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Man sentenced on lesser charges in Wright death

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Friday, 08 July 2022 14:08

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A Tennessee man serving life in prison after his first-degree murder conviction in the slaying of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright was sentenced Friday on lesser charges of conspiracy and attempted murder in the 12-year-old case.

Shelby County Judge Lee Coffee sentenced Billy Ray Turner to 25 years in prison for both the conspiracy charge and the attempted murder charge. Turner was convicted March 21 in the fatal shooting of Wright, a 6-foot, 11-inch center who played 13 seasons in the NBA before he retired after the 2008-2009 season.

Coffee sentenced Turner, 51, to life in prison on the day of his conviction. Turner already was serving a 16-year sentence for possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. Turner was found with two guns when he was arrested in 2017 in Wright's killing and he pleaded guilty in 2019.

The judge decided that the 25-year-sentences will run concurrently, or at the same time. When added to the 16-year sentence for the gun charge, Turner essentially has been sentenced to life plus 41 years in prison, with the possibility of parole, Coffee said.

The slaying is one of the most highly publicized murder cases in Memphis history. Wright's decomposing body was found riddled with bullet wounds in a swampy field in east Memphis on July 28, 2010. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered.

During Turner's trial, prosecutors said Wright's ex-wife, Sherra Wright, masterminded a plan to kill her ex-husband and recruited Turner and her cousin, Jimmie Martin, to help her.

Turner and Sherra Wright were indicted in December 2017, more than seven years after the killing. Sherra Wright entered a surprise guilty plea to facilitation of murder in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Turner is a landscaper who knew Sherra Wright from church and, according to prosecutors, had a secret romantic relationship with her.

At the time of Wright's slaying, Martin was facing charges of killing his girlfriend, and he said his cousin helped pay part of his legal fees. Martin was convicted and is currently serving prison time in that case.

Martin received immunity from prosecution in the Wright case. He testified that he went with Turner to kill Wright in Atlanta in a failed murder attempt. Martin also testified that he went with Turner to a Mississippi lake to dump the gun used in the killing.

A Memphis native, Lorenzen Wright played college basketball at the University of Memphis and spent time with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. At the end of the trial, Coffee called Wright "a sacred son" of Memphis.

During Friday's hearing, the judge cited Turner's past convictions for kidnapping, gun and drug charges as he added years to the life sentence.

"He is a dangerous offender," Coffee said. "He had no hesitation committing this crime."

Read 181 times

Soccer

What should Gio Reyna do next after failed Forest loan, and what's the USMNT impact?

What should Gio Reyna do next after failed Forest loan, and what's the USMNT impact?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGiovanni Reyna's plan seemed solid enough. Leave Borussia Dortmund...

Injured Messi out for Miami's game at Orlando

Injured Messi out for Miami's game at Orlando

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's match against Orlando City on...

Ten Hag: 'Example' Fernandes wanted at Man Utd

Ten Hag: 'Example' Fernandes wanted at Man Utd

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsErik ten Hag assured Bruno Fernandes that Manchester United want to...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Bickerstaff future a question for Cavs; Mitchell, too

Bickerstaff future a question for Cavs; Mitchell, too

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- After Cleveland saw its season end in a 113-98 loss to th...

Luka keeps peace with refs, dominates pivotal G5

Luka keeps peace with refs, dominates pivotal G5

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, quite inte...

Baseball

Scherzer to 60-day IL; can't return until May 28

Scherzer to 60-day IL; can't return until May 28

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Max Scherzer was transferred to the 60-day inju...

Rutschman walkoff saves O's streak of no sweeps

Rutschman walkoff saves O's streak of no sweeps

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- Adley Rutschman has still never been swept in the regu...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated