Former NBA Player Lorenzen Wright’s Accused Killer Found Guilty

Almost 12 years after former NBA player Lorenzen Wright’s death shook the league, his killer was finally brought to justice.

After less than three hours of deliberation, Billy Ray Turner was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and conspiracy.

The Judge sentenced Turner to life for the murder conviction and will announce sentences for the other charges at a later date, per the Associated Press.

Deborah Marion, Wright’s mother, spoke to CNN affiliate WMC-TV, after the verdict.

“Thank you, Jesus! He can suffer like I’ve been suffering all this time, without my son,” she said. “It’s a celebration for me.”

Turner’s conviction comes three years after his accomplice, Wright’s ex-wife, was sentenced for her involvement.

Sherra Wright pleaded guilty in 2019 of facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

The two defendants were arrested in 2017 after the case had gone cold for seven years.

Lorenzen Wright, the father of six, who was 34-years-old at the time, was last seen July 18, 2010, visiting his ex-wife and his children at her home in Collierville, Tennessee.

Nine days later, his bullet-riddled body was found in a wooded area in southeast Tennessee.

Prosecutors alleged Sherra was having an affair with Turner and recruited Turner and her cousin Jimmie Martin to kill Wright.

Martin testified he was not present for the murder, but Sherra took him to the field, where she confessed that she and Turner killed Wright.

The six-foot-11 Wright was drafted seventh by the  Los Angeles Clippers in 1996.

He played 13 seasons in the league including three with the Clippers, four in Atlanta, and five in Memphis.

His last season was with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008-09.

The Memphis native retired averaging 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds, with a career-high 12.4 points with the Hawks during the 2000-01 season.

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