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. For over a decade, Deborah Marion has been fighting for answers. The two-hour special features interviews with Lorenzen's mother, whose tireless fought for justice, and Kelvin Cowans, a journalist who dated Sherra after the murder and wrote a tell-all book. On April 11, 1995, their first child Lorenzen Wright Jr. was born. But the battle over what remains of his estate continues. She also said that she was concerned about Sherra but only tolerated her daughter-in-law as to remain civil with her son. company, Get valuable lists emailed directly Will local change happen after Tyre Nichols death? "They was like, no, you know," she said. In 2019, Sherra Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder. 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. 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. A January 2022 trial date has been set for the man accused in the 2010 killing of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. The trial had been scheduled for October 2020, but it was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the AP article said. Marion, who was in the courtroom that day, said that after 12 years, she felt like she can sleep now. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. [13], On December 15, 2017, Wright's ex-wife Sherra Wright-Robinson was arrested in Riverside, California in connection with the murder. Wright was missing for nine days before his remains were found in a wooded area off a desolate road in southeast Memphis that he used to take as a shortcut to his mother's house. Sports: Report: Ravens' Ray Lewis used banned deer-antler spray during rehab Yankees star Alex Rodriguez joins list of disgraced athletes Forde Minutes: Seven more intriguing players to watch PETA exploits Manti Te'o situation to promote fake meat, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson declines a D-League invitation, Report: Ravens' Ray Lewis used banned deer-antler spray during rehab, Yankees star Alex Rodriguez joins list of disgraced athletes, Forde Minutes: Seven more intriguing players to watch, PETA exploits Manti Te'o situation to promote fake meat. Wright was 34. He's back for a second bite. She said her six children are in her best interest, and shes invested most of the life insurance money, plus some, in real estate. The state's star witness wrapped up hours of testimony Friday in the trial of the man charged in Lorenzen Wright's death. She was gonna get some lifetime [if the case went to trial], said Marion. Turner, a landscaper in the Memphis suburb of Collierville, and Sherra Wright attended the same church. March 21, 2022 / 3:59 PM / CBS/AP. 0:05 0:14 Lorenzen Wright was a standout basketball player for the University of Memphis who went on to play for NBA teams including the Memphis Grizzlies. The ex-wife of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright on Thursday admitted that she planned his 2010 slaying and will spend between eight and 30 years behind bars. 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. Herb is asking the court for Sherra to be removed as trustee of the life insurance proceeds trust set up when the Wright's divorced about five months before Lorenzen's murder. His body was found in a wooded area in southeast Memphis nine days later. NBA great Lorenzen Wright was shot to death July 19, 2010. ET on ABC. The gun was later found by FBI divers only 50 miles from where Lorenzen's body was discovered and Turner was arrested in 2017, shortly after the murder weapon was found. On July 22, Wright's mother noted her son's absence and filed a missing person's report. Deborah Marion, Lorenzen Wright's mother, speaks to the rest of the family before releasing balloons to commemorate his first birthday since both court cases regarding his killing ended Sunday, November 13, 2022. properties, Build a downloadable list ET on ESPN. Wright was last seen July 18, 2010, while visiting his children at his ex-wifes home in Collierville, near Memphis, shortly before midnight. pic.twitter.com/XU7BGkXsfv, Lorenzen Wright Jr (@iamlorenzen) March 19, 2020. A Memphis native, the 6-foot-11 Wright played 13 seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies and four other NBA teams. According to a summary on Amazon, the female main character becomes frustrated with 'the constant chaos surrounding women, new acquaintances, family, and greed. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving 30% of her sentence, or about nine years in prison, the AP reported. His ex-wife, Sherra Wright, pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree. 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. The decomposing remains of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright were found in a Memphis field in 2010 -- he had been shot 11 times. Regarding his education, he had attended Lafayette high school in Mississippi . Wrights foreclosure follows a list of prominent Memphians who have lost their homes in the past few months. The NBA also gave the family $180,000 in death benefits. Martin further explained in court testimony that Sherra told him that she and Turner ambushed Lorenzen after luring him there. His ex-wife, Sherra Wright, pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder and co-defendant Billy Ray Turner is awaiting trial in the case. During his 13-year career, Lorenzen played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers, collecting around $55.5 million in salary. His body had gunshot wounds. The tipping point came when Lorenzen's father Herb Wright received a $200,000 check from the NBA for his son's estate. Lorenzen Wright's Youngest Children - Lawson and Sofia. His job is to be a voice for Lorenzen Wright's children in what has become a messy legal battle. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Police said he had just left the Tennessee home of his ex-wife Sherra with the two having only been divorced for five months at the time. The 7,205-square-foot home at 9280 Riveredge Drive sits on 2.88 acres in the Bluffs of Riveredge subdivision, just east of Forest Hill-Irene Road in Cordova. It took Wright just 10 months to spend $973,000 of the $1 million pay-out she received from his death, buying a new home, expensive trips to New York and two cars. Friends and family of slain NBA basketball player Lorenzen Wright grieve at the casket of Wright during a memorial service at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010.. The day she pleaded guilty, she revealed that she came to this decision only for, and because of her children, adding that, everything is not what it seems., Family Matters pic.twitter.com/1sSW7wGshL, Lorenzen Wright Jr (@iamlorenzen) November 30, 2019, Loren Wright, who seemed the most vocal during her mothers trial said that she and her siblings were all very close and that if they werent on speaking terms with any relative, it was because they didnt want to be not because they were forbidden by their mother. Marion said she believes her former daughter-in-law was motivated by money, specifically a life insurance policy for $1 million held by Lorenzen Wright. In December of 2017, when Sherra Wright-Robinson was arrested, she and all her six remaining children were residing in California together. near you, Up-to-date reports of crimes near A tragic discovery came 10 days after he was reported missing. Deborah Vassar, mother of Lorenzen Wright, and Lorenzen Wright Jr. approach the casket of Lorenzen Wright during a memorial service honoring his life, Aug. 4, 2010, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Lorenzen Wright was killed in July 2010, but the conspirators in his murder wouldn't be arrested for another seven years. Deborah Marion was the mother of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot in 2010. His father, Herb, was a professional basketball player who competed in Finland, and once had a tryout with the Utah Jazz. "Herb Wright tried to get a million dollars a couple years ago. Discovery CEO David Zaslav says CNN is 'making real progress' by adding GOP guests in its effort to lure back viewers, Prosecutors seek the death penalty for FedEx contract driver charged with kidnapping and murdering seven-year-old Athena Strand inside his truck while delivering her Christmas gift, No butts about it! In exchange for her plea, she received a 30-year sentence. His wife Sherra Wright, who cashed in a $1million life insurance policy in his name, made a surprise confession to his murder last year. Simple as that," she said. He was retired . The two-hour special reveals new details of the case and incorporates one-on-one interviews with Lorenzen's family to really show us what happened to him and why. Nasal spray reduces risk of infection 86% - nearly DOUBLE protection given by shot in arm, 'It cuts like a knife': Attorney for family of LSU student Madison Brooks slam release of 'hurtful and shameful' video showing her in back of a car where four men 'raped her' before she was run over, Woke LA DA George Gascon SUSPENDS attorney who 'misgendered' transgender child molester, 27 - who started identifying as a woman after DNA linked her to cold case of man beaten to death, 'Roald Dahl was a bigot and he never supported me, but really?' The ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright pleaded guilty Thursday to facilitation of first-degree murder in his shooting death nine years ago, a surprise development in one of Memphis, Memphis police just announced Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife is now . Play it now! Lorenzen Wright Jr., at the age of 25, used to work as a basketball coach and trained high school students. Pastor Bill Adkins said, 'When she saw Lorenzen, she saw a future with a millionaire. Curious to know where their kids are now? Trial for Billy Ray Turner, man accused of killing Lorenzen Wright, to begin Monday 0:02. Wrights supporters allege the book is fiction. His phone dialed Germantown Police Department, but his body was not found until July 28. Spending, as documented by the Commercial Appeal, included: $32,000 for a Cadillac Escalade $26,000 for a Lexus $69,000 on furniture $11,750 for a New York trip $339,000 for purchase and improvement to a new home $7,100 for a pool deposit $5,000 for lawn equipment $34,000 on legal fees. He was drafted in the first round as the seventh overall pick. I say Get you some rest baby. The following season, on December 26, 1997, Wright scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Things were happening [after my husband was murdered]. Prosecutors said that Martin and Turner had previously gone to Lorenzens Atlanta apartment with guns. Wright's mother, Deborah Marion, told The Commercial Appeal that a police official told her Wright-Robinson would be charged with first-degree murder, the same charge Turner faced. Sherra Wrights attorney, Christopher Donovan said everything shes done is for the kids, and while most of the life insurance money is gone, theres still 95 percent in real estate value from properties in East Shelby County and Arkansas. Wright, 34, had been missing for 10 days before his body was discovered. [7] The Clippers would go on to lose the series. Coming to Shamar and Lamar Wright, the twins have followed in their fathers footsteps and are now well on their way to becoming professional basketball players. On January 6, 2003, Wright scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a 106-102 win over the New Orleans Hornets. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Sherra Robinson Wright, whose divorce from Wright was finalized only a few months before his death, received a $1 million life insurance settlement 14 months after his passing. We're not here because there's nothing to get to. He held career averages of 8.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, playing in 778 (793 including playoffs) NBA games over 13 seasons. She said she got rid of her old car, because her kids told her they were embarrassed to ride in anything else. 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. The court ordered her to use the money to support the children. Watch the full story on "20/20" FRIDAY at 9 p.m. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. 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. In July 2019, just as trial was finally set to begin, Sherra made a shocking admission to masterminding a plot to kill her ex-husband. Technically, Sherra Wright is no longer Sherra Wright. Mar 21, 2022. A jury on Monday convicted a Tennessee man in the murder of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, who was found shot dead in a field nearly 12 years ago in his hometown of . Wright was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much [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. There is also significant discord, according to the court filings, between Herb Wright and Sherra Wright, who "testified Lorenzen Wright distrusted his father and as a result removed his father from any control over his accounts and finances. The Cordova home of late soul singer Isaac Hayes was foreclosed and sold for $712,500 to Regions Bank earlier this year. News. [19] On December 5, 2017, Billy R. Turner, a landscaper and church deacon at Mt. Deborah Marion, the mother of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. A Warner Bros. She could easily manipulate Turner, prosecutors said. We all are so close to each other, we feel like we dont really need much in terms of support, because we have my mom and the six of us, and were OK., My Twin @lowright42 pic.twitter.com/4UNMzWAiC3, Lorenzen Wright Jr (@iamlorenzen) April 13, 2020, Freshman Season #42 #55 #4POPS #TWINIT pic.twitter.com/WQ9PyVTeDJ. [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. I was trying to protect my kids, said Sherra Wright. As Martin was already being tried for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, he received immunity in the case. CNNs Ralph Eliis and journalists Allen Kim and Sheena Jones contributed to this report. Repeated court fights with Herb Wright, the executor of Lorenzen's estate, kindled Sherra's anger. "Jury finds Billy Ray Turner guilty in killing of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright", "Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife wants plea thrown out", "Trial set in slaying of NBA's Lorenzen Wright", "With trial date set in death of NBA player Lorenzen Wright, his mother now can 'breathe', "Who killed Lorenzen Wright? Gone to Lorenzens Atlanta apartment with guns Lorenzens Atlanta apartment with guns page from! Awaiting trial in the case Clippers would go on to lose the series,! Gone to Lorenzens Atlanta apartment with guns to begin Monday 0:02, man accused killing! For Lorenzen Wright Jr., at the top of the page across the. She received a 30-year sentence like she can sleep now a million dollars a couple ago! Of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright was shot to death July 19 2020. Six remaining children were residing in California together Marion was the mother of slain NBA. Trial ], said that Martin and Turner had previously gone to Lorenzens Atlanta with. 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