MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – A judge will allow text messages and phone call recordings in the trial of two people accused of killing Memphis basketball star Lorenzen Wright.
Wright’s ex-wife Sherra Wright and Billy Turner are charged with killing him almost nine years ago.
In court Thursday, Sherra Wright sat quietly as her lawyer hoped to convince a judge not to allow information from texts and phone calls into trial. The judge found the affidavit used to allow the wiretapping of Wright and co-defendant Turner was solid. We learned that document is 90-pages long and lays out the case of Lorenzen Wright’s murder.
In court, we learned the affidavit says Wright’s cousin Jimmy Martin told Memphis police key information about the crime scene.
“There were details in Jimmy Martin’s statement with regard to the crime scene, including the cutting of a section of the barbed wire, which hasn’t ever been released to the public,” said prosecutor Paul Hagerman.
Lorenzen Wright was found murdered in southeast Memphis in July 2010. It took seven years for Wright and Turner to be indicted.
In court, it was revealed in 2012 Martin was given immunity when he talked to police and gave them information about the murder and the location of the gun. Wright’s attorney questions Martin’ involvement.
“I think there is more evidence that Jimmy Martin is the murderer than there is Sherra,” said Wright’s lawyer Juni Ganguli.
Martin is not charged.
“I cannot ethically comment on other people that may or may not have been involved and decisions in regards to prosecutorial decisions or anything like that,” said Hagerman.
The trial is set for September 16th.
