MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has denied an appeal by Billy Ray Turner, who was convicted in the murder of former Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright.
In an opinion issued Oct. 5, 2023, the appeals court affirmed the trial court’s judgements in the case, affirming Turner’s sentence of life plus 41-years for convictions on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder.
In the appeal, Turner claimed the trial court prevented him from impeaching a witness, allowed prosecutors to ask leading questions, and allowed a ‘speaking objection’ by the State. He also claimed Shelby County was not the proper venue for the trial and that there was insufficient evidence for conviction.
The appeals court ruled against Turner in every instance. Turner can seek permission to appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Turner is eligible for release after serving 85%, or 51 years of his sentence.
Case History
The long, drawn-out hearings for Lorenzen’s murder have stretched more than a decade. By March 2022, all persons involved in the murder of Lorenzen were convicted and sentenced in the case.
Lorenzen Wright was an NBA player, and he and Sherra shared seven children. During his lifetime, he played for the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lorenzen was 34 when he was killed.
Memphis Police said they received a 911 call from Lorenzen’s cell phone July 19, 2010, and there were 11 gunshots recorded on the call. Police later found Lorenzen dead and abandoned in a field in southeast Memphis on July 28, 2010.
Sherra Wright and Billy Ray Turner were not arrested and charged with Wright’s murder until 2017. Investigators said they got a break in the case when they received testimony from Jimmie Martin, Sherra’s cousin, who she recruited along with Turner in the conspiracy to murder Lorenzen.
Martin was incarcerated for the murder of his girlfriend, a non-related crime, at the time that he gave prosecutors his testimony. He was granted immunity in Lorenzen’s murder.
Billy Ray Turner was the last person sentenced in the murder case. He was found guilty on all charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy, and he received life in prison.
