I knew that he was on to something and I just prayed that he would have some success with it. Tribune Broadcasting. The case went cold for seven years, until Billy Turner was charged with Lorenzen Wright's murder in December 2017. Wright was never implicated in any criminal activity. APRIL THOMPSON: Did you have anything to do with Lorenzo's murder? ", When youre the mother of six kids and youre married to their father, and you would [want to] see him dead, thats just evil. And I can't -- I'm not gonna believe anything other then he's fine now. On the call, a voice could be heard yelling, God ****" before it was followed by gunshots. I said, "The public wants to hear from you Sherra," you know and she just wasn't -- she wasn't with it. Marion is forced to wait longer for a resolution. Sherra Wright Robinson is an American author with the book, Mr. Tell Me Anything under her belt. Sherra, I want to thank you for giving me my grandchildren, thats what I want to thank you for, she said in court. James Brown: Do you think Sherra Wright killed Lorenzen Wright? On July 22, his family filed a missing person report. Lorenzen Wright was a 34-year-old basketball player in the NBA, who played for a total of 13 seasons after being drafted seventh overall in the 1996 draft. But the "weapons were not located," according to the search warrant affidavit. Wright was the father of seven children. Most troubling for Lorenzen's family was that he seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Even though Cowans had heard the rumors about Sherra's involvement with Lorenzen's murder, he remained devoted to her. It was just unbelievable that he was dead. Armstrong's prayers were answered seven years after the murder of Lorenzen Wright on Nov. 9, 2017. Sherra Wright alleged that her conviction was "unlawfully induced" and involuntarily entered without her understanding the nature and consequences of the plea, her court filing showed. DEBORAH MARION [WREG NEWS REPORT]: nowhere he could be that I don't know where he is We checked all his friends from here to Atlanta, Mississippi, everywhere. I want you to unlock them so I can get to them so they can see their grandma, because Sofia keeps calling. He reportedly earned a career total $55 million. 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. Completely unexpected, out of the blue he calls me and says, Hey bud, Im in town, lets hang out, Dotson said. As Sherra left the courtroom, she and Turner exchanged a passing glance. Hundreds of companies that employed nearly 4,000 children last year were found in violation of federal labor laws, a dramatic increase in the last five years. He left with drugs and an undisclosed sum of money. 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. James Brown | CBS News special correspondent: Put in perspective how big the Lorenzen Wright story is here in Memphis. The criminal case turned cold for the next seven years. But what they didn't realize at the time was that Lorenzen had actually left behind a clue. 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. Marc Perrusquia | Reporter, The Commercial Appeal: They had two homes, expensive homes that were in foreclosure Sherra said they were bouncin' checks left and right. Eileen Gus Parents: What is Known About Her Dad and Mom? Phil Dotson: He was always a pillar in the community. Im ready for them to come back to the home with their family. And he pledged that he would find the killer. That day, using more precise cell phone data and aided by cadaver dogs, the search was on. Memphis Grizzlies' Lorenzen Wright readies to pass in front of Seattle SuperSonics' Gary Payton during the first quarter in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 27, 2002. KCAL NEWS REPORT: Memphis police just announced Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife is now charged with murder. Then, on July 28 -- 10 days after Lorenzen was last seen -- Shelby County authorities were finally told about the 911 call. Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman is one of Shelby County's best prosecutors, but he's trying to manage expectations. 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. Memphis police did not say why they arrested Sherra Wright, but seven long years after the murder of Lorenzen Wright, they finally got their suspects. Martin alleges that he was not present for the actual murder, but he did help Turner and Wright clean up the crime scene. He was retired . Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner were charged in December 2017 with first-degree murder and conspiracy. Gayle Rose: Lorenzen took a very special liking to Max. A Memphis native, the 6-foot-11 Wright played 13 seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies and four other NBA teams. Kelvin Cowans: It was great. I was like, Shes baring all, said Kelvin Cowans, referring to the book. The Grizzlies were in the game early in the third quarter, leading by as many as seven, but the Mavericks took control for a 114-87 victory. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Nearly a week after a jury convicted Billy Ray Turner in the Lorenzen Wright murder, his family returned to his gravesite to pay respects Sunday evening. Lorenzen and Sherra married in 1998, and welcomed another child in 1999. And the killers had a nine-day head start. Two of Wright's children gave statements to the Tennessee. Always volunteered. A third person was involved -- someone who claims to have been in on it an unindicted co-conspirator. And Lorenzen was a big part of that. Not one. Phil Dotson: That Sunday evening we had gone to pick up his son -- Lorenzen Jr. -- from the gym. And he symbolized hope in our community. "It's hard to play when something tragic like this happens. So, who conspired to murder Wright? Im like, I just spent almost three years of my life with a killer, he said. And still, there were no arrests for the murder of Lorenzen Wright. Thousands, including coaches, former teammates as well as relatives, trouped out to pay their respects. and I said, "No." you can basically say that they never gave up. Sierra later died of SIDS at the age of 11 months. In 2010, NBA player Lorenzen Wright died and left six surviving children by his ex-wife Sherra Wright-Robinson. Prosecutors declined to comment to ABC News for this report. Wright began his real professional career in 1996 when he was drafted seventh overall in the N.B.A. "He would still be a mommas boy if he was here now. Lorenzen Wright's Seven Children. 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. Three months after the murder, she agreed to talk to April Thompson. He continued his exploits in college and was drafted, 7th overall, into the NBA in 1996. His success on the high school and collegiate levels in Memphis, Tennessee, eventually culminated into his being the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft when he headed to the Los Angeles Clippers. White House promises crackdown on migrant child labor, Rare endangered animal seen running across Texas road, Castillo game-winner sends Floydada to regional semi-finals. Phil Dotson: He had just signed a six-year, $42 million deal at that point. Lorenzen Wright, #42 of the Memphis Grizzlies, goes up for the dunk against the Amare Stoudemire and Joe Johnson of the Phoenix Suns in Game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs in Memphis, Tenn., April 29, 2005. But then just this thing of, you know, why can't they catch these guys? After her book was published, Sherra agreed to an interview with Kelvin Cowans -- a freelance reporter for the Tri-State Defender. Lorenzen Wright was a second-team all-American power forward from the University of Memphis who went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA for various teams. 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. They found the needle in the haystack. 11-month-old daughter of Lorenzen Wright dies; News. Answersafrica.com copyright 2022. Sherra Wright Robinson Family How old is she? He would give people jobs, said Dotson. Dotson said that was the last time he saw Wright. They include four sons, Lorenzen Wright Jr, Shamar, Lamar and Lawson and three daughters, Sofia, Sierra and Loren. . She pleaded not guilty. It was Lorenzen's mother looking for her son. No one wants to believe that. She told investigators she had last seen Wright drive off with an unknown man carrying a box of drugs that she claimed he was trying to sell. It wasnt revisited until nine days later while the Memphis Police Department investigated Wrights disappearance. John Keith Perry Jr. [to reporters on March 19]: His family's a Christian family. LORENZEN WRIGHT [NEWS INTERVIEW] Thinking about what I'm going to be doing next year, whether I'm going to be at the University of Memphis or you know, in the NBA. 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. Dr. Bill Adkins | Lorenzen's mentor: As far as Mr. Billy Ray, I have never met him, don't know him. "Her mother and Lorenzen used to date, and she thought Lorenzen was her biological father, but they. Oddly, nearly five years after Lorenzen's death, it was Sherra who drew attention back to herself by publishing a book called, "Mr. Tell Me Anything." Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. He has our support. Gayle Rose: I literally fell off my chair and on the ground and cried. And they know at the -- at the end of the day -- they have the strongest belief as well as I that Mr. Turner will be exonerated at the end. Wright and Turner pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the indictments revealed two startling claims. Now it would be a shame if, if throughout all this, that -- that we forgot that. During his 13-year career, Lorenzen played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers,. All Rights Reserved. Toney Armstrong: When you have a murder, the persons close to them is the -- most obvious person. Dr. Bill Adkins: They questioned, was he doin' it for laundering money? He was just that type of guy. His mother and friends were in disbelief when they heard the news. Toney Armstrong: That's the needle in the haystack. When he saw the announcement of her arrest on the news, Cowans was blown away. After 13 years together, the couple divorced in February 2010. Her father was one of Wright's high school coaches. Lorenzen Wright disappeared in July 2010. So he comes over Were kicking back, were relaxing, smoking cigars on the patio., That evening, Dotson said Wright's ex-wife called him demanding that he bring their son back home "now. By 2016, six years after the murder of hometown hero Lorenzen Wright, Memphis had all but given up hope that the crime would be solved. It seemed to Gipson that this would be an easy case to solve. He'd had been playin' basketball that evening. You got Martin Luther King, OK, you can't trump that one, but he comes very close. Her son, Lorenzen Wright, was murdered in 2010, and now she is facing Frierson's death. After finding the gun, the case took an unexpected turn. While playing summer basketball in his junior year of high school, Wright met his ex-wife Sherra Robinson, who became Sherra Wright Robinson. Dr. Bill Adkins: Basketball in Memphis became -- a instrument of change which brought races together. Lorenzen Wright was 2.11 meters tall, or 6 feet and 11 inches tall. Phil Dotson: All of the arrows were pointing towards her. As Memphis mourned, months turned into years and the city became obsessed with solving the murder of its favorite son. What were Lorenzen Wright Body Measurements? Turner's trial has been scheduled for January after two delays. Over the next few years, Lorenzen and Sherra separated and later divorced. The twins are currently playing college basketball on . Toney Armstrong: What was different about this particular case is that you're nine days behind. 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. You know? He is known to put the ball in the hoop from any point on the court. And I just told her, I said, "This is your opportunity to tell your side of the story.". Even though he had reportedly earned more than $55 million during his NBA career, Lorenzen had burned through most of the money and was almost broke at the time of his death. Lorenzen Wright, who played 13 years in the NBA, including five with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died. Yet, Gipson said Wright still had an intimate relationship with his ex-wife. That frantic call was placed at 12:05 a.m. on the morning of July 19 -- just hours after Lorenzen was dropped off at Sherra's. He is the first child of Lorenzen Wright and Sherra Wright and he is 26 years old. This is not the way you do an assembly line.. He and his ex-wife had six children, including Lawson, Sofia, the twins Shamar and Lamar Lorenzen Wright Jr, and Sierra, who died in infancy. At the time, a review by the Germantown Police Department concluded that the dispatchers had properly followed procedures. First published on May 12, 2018 / 11:02 PM. His name is Jimmie Martin, a convicted murderer currently serving time in prison. But he didn't get the reaction he expected when he called her to celebrate. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He is Lorenzen Wright's and Sherra Wright's first child, and he is 26 years old. She also insinuated that her husband was involved in some criminal activity by claiming that he left her house with drugs and cash. Kelvin Cowans tried to put all the pieces together by writing a book about his complicated relationship with Sherra Wright. Best Motivational Speakers in South Africa. Lorenzen Wright, #42 of the Memphis Grizzlies, stands on the court during a game with the Portland Trail Blazers in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 22, 2005. I mean, every -- every water hole, ever sports bar in this town had it on the TV screen. Life seemed to continue on until November 2017, when police announced a huge break in the Wright murder investigation: They had found one of the murder weapons -- a gun -- in a lake in Walnut, Mississippi, about 45 minutes away from Wrights former home. Pastor Bill Adkins has been a long-time advocate for unity in the City of Memphis. He claims he fell in love with her during an interview about Wright Robinson's life, which included talking about her new book. The couple left Houston and went their separate ways. A Memphis native, the 6-foot-11 Wright played 13 seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies and four other NBA teams. The administration has struggled with how to respond to a surge of migrants, including children who travel alone, at the U.S. border since Biden first took office. According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Wright's wife, Sherra, checked on the child in her crib at about 10:30 a.m. and discovered that the baby wasn't breathing. No arrests have been made. I mean, because, you know, we kept hearin' these things about Sherra. Just wanted him dead. Lorenzen wright had seven children with sherra wright, one who died as an infant, according to abc news.sierra wright was born in 2002 and died just 11 months later from sudden infant death. "You can just listen to that tape and know he was in trouble," says Toney Armstrong, former director of police at the Memphis Police Department, who oversaw the investigation. Dr. Bill Adkins: Oh, yeah, I saw this huge kid that could run the floor like a gazelle. On Jan. 25, 2018, the real court of Shelby County weighed in. Sign up. He had been meeting regularly with Wright's grieving mother, Deborah Marion. Meanwhile, in their search for possible suspects, detectives were uncovering details of Lorenzen's private life -- and it was troubling. Lorenzen Vern-Gagne Wright was born on the 4th of November 1975 in Oxford, Mississippi. Dr. Bill Adkins: What troubled me the most was Lorenzen was killed twice. Thats all I want is my grandkids., I just hate what happened to my child, Marion continued, speaking to Sherra. Sgt. The oldest child, Lorenzen Wright Jr., is 26 years old and played basketball at Robert Morris University. Who wanted Wright dead, and how does a beloved basketball player's life end that way? The player had been hit by five bullets from two guns; two shots to the head, two to the chest and one to his right arm. It was like Disneyland at his house!. It has been the subject of a book and TV documentaries. The total was more than twice the highest level during Donald Trumps presidency in 2019. Marc Perrusquia: A cloud's hung over this city for some time. Prosecutor Paul Hagerman [to reporters on Feb. 26]: Two defendants, years and years, cold case for years and years. I've been told that the connection was real tenuous. This is the true life story of retired NBA star, Lorenzen Wright. Never in my life did I think it would take so long [to solve].. Lorenzen grew up a son of Memphis and played in the world's most elite bas. And he's fine now. May 12, 2018. He was still wearing a watch and a chain. Lorna Masekos Age Accomplishments and Net Worth, Evodia Mogase Biography: Who is the South African Socialite and What is Her Age, Who Is Elsa Majimbo? She don't deal with no grass cutter! said Marion. Had Wright Robinson gone to trial, she faced the prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison. who knows what and how it all fits together. Billy Ray Turner's bond was set at $15 million. At that moment, instead of expressing outrage, Marion said she made the decision to focus on her six grandchildren. According to prosecutors, Martin claimed that a few days after Wrights death, Wright Robinson and Turner confessed to him that they had murdered Wright, and that he then helped them clean up the crime scene. And he asked me for permission to -- to look at -- into the case. I just hate what happened to my child," his mother said. The pair eventually moved to Houston together with Wright Robinson's kids. Family and friends of slain NBA basketball player Lorenzen Wright grieve during a memorial service at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. on Aug. 4, 2010. Kelvin Cowans: Just "How could you? Dr. Bill Adkins: I decided to go take a look for myself. Phil Dotson: I'd gotten a phone call from him that he had gotten in town. 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