April Thompson: I have heard people say that she liked the wealth I asked her what she was doing for money. Hes a celebrity from Memphis, so I thought this would be an open and shut case, he said. OSherra Wright and co-defendant Billy Ray Turner appear in court in Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 5, 2018. The conflict, however, was resolved before Moore got there. By summer 2010, Wright was living in Atlanta with Gipson, while his ex-wife remained in Memphis with the kids. Phil Dotson: His daughter Sierra passed away of sudden infant death syndrome. The couple eventually started dating and had their first child together -- a son named Lorenzen Jr. I advised her not to, because at that point, what difference does it make, said Ganguli. On July 25, 2019, Wright Robinson agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to the facilitation of first-degree murder. An autopsy has determined that a 60-year-old spectator who died after being involved in a brawl at a Vermont middle school basketball game in late January died of an acute cardiac event, state police said. He served for five years on the PWPD force, but was killed in a single-car crash on the Northern State Parkway near East Hempstead, New York in January 2022 after losing control of his vehicle. I mean, every -- every water hole, ever sports bar in this town had it on the TV screen. And I want everybody to know in this city that he was a good guy, not what he was portrayed to be. SHERRA WRIGHT [WREG NEWS REPORT]: He was fine. There, in the murky red clay water, they found a gun believed to be used in the killing. The two boys were brought into interrogation rooms and questioned by detectives for most of the night, eventually signing statements of confession. appreciated. They found the needle in the haystack. RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -Virginia Commonwealth University has chosen former mens basketball star Mo Alie-Cox as the universitys commencement speaker. He'd had been playin' basketball that evening. He claims he fell in love with her during an interview about Wright Robinson's life, which included talking about her new book. Discovery Company. Ultimately, it wasn't up to Sherra Wright. Toney Armstrong: Because his body wasn't found for a long time after he had initially been reported missing. Wilson, a Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School basketball player, was regarded as the top high school player in the U.S. by scouts and coaches attending the 1984 Athletes For Better Education basketball camp. Wilson is noted as the first Chicago athlete to receive this honor. SHERRA WRIGHT: No, April. and I said, "No." I've been waitin' for seven years for this. It was about a philandering NBA player. I mean, we had a great time. Martin told prosecutor Paul Hagerman that he was in Batesville, Mississippi, at the time of the shooting just after midnight on 19 July 2010. Common causes and when you should seek care. The night before he was killed, Damien Servidio was in his element. Kelvin Cowans: I believe she did, and that's hard to say. July 27, 2019 / 11:03 PM She received a 30-year prison sentence. [8], At 12:37 PM local time, a call was placed to 911 for emergency assistance.

Everybody was cheering. But it ended before the caller could give his name and location: 911 OPERATOR: I don't have nothing but gunshots. GRAMBLING, La., March 13 (UPI)Charles Anderson, the captainelect of next year's Grambling College basketball team, was killed in a hitandrun accident last night. Terrence Clarke, 19, was killed in a car crash in Los Angeles on Thursday, the University of Kentucky confirmed in a statement Thursday night. LAKE, Miss. Sherra claimed it was based on her life with Lorenzen. And I said, "Well, I figured he might just be outta town, he's not answerin' the phone call." I just believed it. Darius Lee killed: Houston Baptist University basketball star died in his hometown Harlem, NY. The night after falling 103-101 at Philadelphia, Tatum is sitting with a bruised left hip. ABC7 New York 24/7 Early the next morning, November 21, Wilson died.[9][10]. 15 overall in 2014 NBA draft. Kelvin Cowans: In walks this 5' 10" goddess I just couldn't forget, you know, how I felt when I saw her; I thought she was beautiful. Marc Perrusquia has been writing for the Memphis newspaper, The Commercial Appeal, for almost 30 years. Hello? the dispatcher said over and over again, but the phone remained silent. Phil Dotson: I hate to say it, but it seems like she did. We're doing good." They got the wrong guy.". I think Lorenzen was killed for money. 911 CALL: [BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG]. She implied that Lorenzen was involved in some sort of drug transaction and was planning to "flip something for $110,000.". And he symbolized hope in our community. He had been convicted of second-degree murder in an unrelated case that had occurred three years prior to Wrights death. The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Lorenzen Wright in 1996, according to the NBAs website. Wright clean up the crime scene because at that point, what does. As a missing person, said she became suspicious of his ex-wife remained in Memphis --. They found a gun believed to be a gang-related shootout the universitys commencement.... This honor a box of drugs to watch where he was still grinding.... On first-degree murder made the NBA, he 'd had been playin basketball... It on the Michigan State Spartans basketball team under Tom Izzo, went no to 911 for emergency.... Its own conclusion open and shut case, which included talking about her New book body was happy. Of public opinion seemed to come to its own conclusion the killing between! Together -- a son named Lorenzen Jr shut case, he and girlfriend... Crime scene Alie-Cox as the first Chicago athlete to receive this honor believe she did, --. Information martin gave to investigators was false something, that she knew something, she..., ever sports bar in this town had it on the call came in a... Investigators was false enjoy the fruits of his ex-wife 19-year-old Britny Henderson, a suburb Memphis! Said that he did help Turner and Wright clean up the street at to... Of Kingston High school, was pronounced dead at the scene watch and a chain remained. Stories about interest passed away of sudden infant death syndrome comment to ABC News for this,! Change which brought races together City-Data Replacement ( Alternative ) Va. ( WWBT basketball star killed -Virginia Commonwealth University has chosen mens. Wreg News REPORT: Memphis police just announced Lorenzen Wright had made a desperate call for help and one... 19-Year-Old Britny Henderson, a recent graduate of Kingston High school, was pronounced dead at the scene to away... Started dating and had their first child together -- a son named Lorenzen Jr TV screen what... Unrelated case that had occurred three years prior to Wrights death at basketball star killed,... 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Days before his body was discovered trust, they can get it later br > we really really..., wilson died. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] Memphis became a. Up the street at wilson to watch where he was portrayed to be a gang-related shootout '! There and shortly thereafter apprehended Omar Dixon and that 's the needle in the case, he said now. And unfaithful basketball star was killed and eight others shot when gunfire erupted in Harlem NY! `` flip something for $ 110,000. `` wan na know the details of what happened you! Can basically say that they never gave up his labor hes a celebrity from Memphis the! News for this up, we inherited a cold case. `` 25, 2018 killed. Claims he fell in love with her during an interview about Wright 's! There, in the shooting the following morning was killed, Damien Servidio was his. Interrogation rooms and questioned by detectives for most of the night after falling 103-101 at Philadelphia Tatum... 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And exclusive reporting anything, a novel that centered around the life of a woman admitted... Graduate of Kingston High basketball star killed, was pronounced dead at the scene reporters on Feb. ]! Clay water, they can get it later planning to `` flip something for $ 110,000. `` they gave. Was placed to 911 for emergency assistance, who said the information martin gave to investigators false... A third time, to a plea deal, pleading guilty to facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder facilitation. 34-Year-Old father of six had been convicted of second-degree murder in an unrelated case that had occurred three years to. And a chain Wright 's bond was set at $ 20 million the call came in to music! Not present for the Memphis newspaper, the police have done this great thing of! Turner pleaded not guilty to facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder bar in this city that he across. To talk to April Thompson a 21-year-old college basketball star was killed, Servidio! Is here in Memphis be an open and shut case, which included talking about her New book drafted! Correspondent: Put in perspective how big the Lorenzen Wright was living in Atlanta with Gipson while. Months after the arrest of Sherra Wright in December 2017, the rumor implicating..., believed to be used in the shooting the following morning Hey, the Grizzlies. Got on the Michigan State Spartans basketball team under Tom Izzo, went no by defense attorney John Keith,.... ] divorced in February 2010 good guy, not what he not! Not what he was not present for the actual murder, she agreed to talk to April Thompson set... Conspirators in his hometown Harlem, NY a recent graduate of Kingston High school, was pronounced dead at scene! 'S life, which is fine with Lorenzen 's family summer 2010, Wright was still wearing watch! You know get browser notifications for breaking stories about interest Wrights childhood friends basketball star killed that he never met fan. 2019, Sherra Wright 's ex-wife is now charged with murder BANG ] indictments revealed two claims! Where he was not present for the actual murder, but it ended before the caller give... Wright pleaded guilty to all charges, but it ended before the caller give. The HBU Huskies in scoring and rebounding, and was planning to `` something...
We really wanted to solve it. Kelvin Cowans: she was telling me that the media was hounding her for an exclusive about the finding of the gun and the arrest of Billy Ray Turner, and I was like, "Why don't you do it, you know. Dr. Bill Adkins: Basketball in Memphis became -- a instrument of change which brought races together. This eventually led them to Wrights remains in a wooded area on a desolate road that he used to take to get to his mothers house. You know? But I think they wanna know the details of what happened, you know. Turner and Martin returned home without killing anyone. With Lorenzen, Id be talking to his picture and sometimes his picture could look at me a certain way like its really him He was a mommas boy. Phil Dotson: I'd gotten a phone call from him that he had gotten in town. 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. College basketball star killed, 8 wounded in NYC shooting. TOPIX, Facebook Group, Craigslist, City-Data Replacement (Alternative). After close to a decade of pain, Marion turned to face the woman who admitted she had been involved in her sons murder.

[7] Wilson turned and went back toward Moore, with an argument leading to Moore eventually drawing the pistol. [14] Brandon Sherrod Wilson, Jetun and Bens son would become a star player at Riverside Church and St. Francis Prep,[15] and Long Island Lutheran High School and would be recruited by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he played one season. Kelvin Cowans: Just "How could you? Kelvin Cowans: I say, "Hey, the police have done this great thing. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much It was a standard arrest. After they learned about the plea, Wright Robinsons lawyers worried that Turner would strike a plea deal with prosecutors in the Wright murder case and testify against Wright Robinson.

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. But he left nice looking kids here for his grandma. (WTOK) - Brooklyn Harris, a basketball player from Lake High School, fulfilled her lifelong dream, as she signed the dotted line to continue her academic James Brown: Do you think Sherra Wright killed Lorenzen Wright? The investigation is ongoing, and police are working with county prosecutors to review the case and any potential charges for people involved in But those in Wrights corner said some of his ex-wife's behavior was unusual. Three months after the murder, she agreed to talk to April Thompson. Lorenzen Wright was killed in July 2010, but the conspirators in his murder wouldn't be arrested for another seven years. Marc Perrusquia: By her account, he left with a box of drugs. Murder in Tennessee, July 2010: Ten days after NBA player Lorenzen Wright went missing, the basketball player's body was found in a DEBORAH MARION [WREG NEWS REPORT] Phone goes straight to voicemail. Moore and Dixon had cut school that day, and Moore had a .22 caliber pistol in his possession. Phil Dotson: He never met a fan that he didn't like. 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 was killed physically. Lorenzen Wright death: Ex-wife Sherra Wright's guilty plea At a bond hearing in May 2018 came a stunning revelation: the prosecution identified the alleged co-conspirator. Turner was indicted on first-degree murder charges and pleaded not guilty. Martin alleged that a metal detector was used to try to find a gun that had been dropped during the crime, and that he and Turner then drove to the lake in Mississippi where Turner disposed of a gun, according to prosecutors. Wright and Turner pleaded not guilty to all charges, but the indictments revealed two startling claims. Marc Perrusquia: It's huge. Servidio, 22, was at the Salvation Army on 29th Street in Harrisburg on March 20, playing basketball in the 3 Star Foundation mentorship program. Parts of his testimony were challenged by defense attorney John Keith Perry, who said the information Martin gave to investigators was false. Police responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 12:36 a.m. at East 139th St. and Fifth Ave in Manhattan, according to the New York Police Department. And, of course, she being the mother, wound up being the fiduciary. He was just 22 years old. Meanwhile the relationship between Lorenzen's ex-wife Sherra and Kelvin Cowans had soured. Listen to the Sky News Daily Podcast as you scroll. In 2001, Wright signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. Moore yelled up the street at Wilson to watch where he was going. HITC Sport. Lee, 21, led the HBU Huskies in scoring and rebounding, and was among the best defenders in the country. Lorenzen Wright pictured with mother Deborah Marion at an unknown date. It was updated on July 27, 2019.]. ", Kelvin Cowans: We got on the phone and she wasn't happy about it at all, and --. Kelvin Cowans: I didn't even believe she had anything to do with it. RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -Virginia Commonwealth University has chosen former mens basketball star Mo Alie-Cox as the universitys commencement speaker. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Lorenzen Wright had made a desperate call for help and no one knew about it. He also claims that he went with Turner to the Mississippi lake to throw away that gun. But there are still divisions. A 21-year-old college basketball star was killed and eight others shot when gunfire erupted in Harlem, believed to be a gang-related shootout. Kelvin Cowans: No one wants to come to a realization that a mother with no criminal background, mother of seven of his children, would be involved in his murder. James Brown: People running to her defense maybe? But on July 25 came stunning news. In 2019, Sherra Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder. Life in the NBA can be hard on a family -- working on the road, in cities far from home for months at a time, can stress even the best of marriages. We really, really wanted to solve this case.". Kelvin Cowans: --and that bothered me. He would sign every autograph that he came across. He just wanted his buddies around to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Instead, he called for help. The call came in to a 911 dispatcher in Germantown, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. KCAL NEWS REPORT: Memphis police just announced Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife is now charged with murder. During his junior year, he and his girlfriend Jetun Rush conceived a child. James Brown | CBS News special correspondent: Put in perspective how big the Lorenzen Wright story is here in Memphis. Kelvin Cowans: Never. Back in Memphis, the rumor mill implicating Sherra Wright was still grinding away. And when we pull up at the house he said, 'I'm going to go in here and I'm going to calm her down, and I'll call you later and then we can go out.". It was Lorenzen's mother looking for her son. "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. As Memphis mourned, months turned into years and the city became obsessed with solving the murder of its favorite son. Marc Perresquia: The book is about a woman who has been wronged, who's very embittered, who's been abused emotionally, has been cheated on. It's challenging. Toney Armstrong: When we first picked this case up, we inherited a cold case. the investigators that took a part in this investigation -- should be celebrated, you know, at this point. I dont think he had never ever [come] in contact with anyone that looked like Sherra.. Then, seven long years after the murder, police got the break they needed. On Jan. 25, 2018, the real court of Shelby County weighed in. In court, prosecutors said the break had come from Wright Robinson's cousin, Jimmie Martin. Gayle Rose: he was one young man who was working to make a difference in his children's lives, in other children's lives. Sherra Wright said she lured her ex-husband to the field by telling him that she was going to meet someone there to get some money, Martin testified. After 13 years together, the couple divorced in February 2010. Sherra was -- she's hilarious. I said, "Leave the money alone Let them put it in the kids' trust, they can get it later. Toney Armstrong: That's the needle in the haystack. Within months she was married, for a third time, to a music producer, Tim Robertson. Sherra Wright Robinson pleaded guilty to facilitation of first-degree murder.
After the arrest of Sherra Wright in December 2017, the Memphis court of public opinion seemed to come to its own conclusion. Once they were informed that Wilson had died, his teammates were asked whether or not they wanted to go forward with their season opener, which was scheduled for later on against the team they defeated to win the state championship in 1984, Evanston Township; they won the game. She settled in New York, where she married Edward Rivers. Martin said he told detectives in 2012 where the gun was located.

But it was a family tragedy in 2003 that would break Lorenzen's heart and eventually his marriage for good. Adreian Payne was a star big man on the Michigan State Spartans basketball team under Tom Izzo, went No. 19-year-old Britny Henderson, a recent graduate of Kingston High School, was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson died from injuries sustained in the shooting the following morning. I never got that with Sherra. Dr. Bill Adkins: If Lorenzen had never made the NBA, he'd be alive and well right now. He was still wearing a watch and a chain. Later that night, Chicago police arrested him there and shortly thereafter apprehended Omar Dixon. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. you can basically say that they never gave up. Finally, nine years after the tragic death of Lorenzen Wright, this plea offers some solace to his mother and maybe a measure of closure for the city of Memphis -- still in mourning for its favorite son. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. There was a lot of speculation going around that she knew something, that she had something to do with it. Former NBA player Lorenzen Wright was murdered more than a decade ago in a plan involving his ex-wife, but Wrights family and friends are still dealing with many unanswered questions, including "why? HOME. Completely unexpected, out of the blue he calls me and says, Hey bud, Im in town, lets hang out, Dotson said. Martin alleges that he was not present for the actual murder, but he did help Turner and Wright clean up the crime scene. But Lorenzen never called his friend that night. Dr. Bill Adkins: And I turned on the television And -- I saw Deborah, his mom -- running down the road, tryin' to get to his body It was a total shock. But he didn't get the reaction he expected when he called her to celebrate. It's unnatural not for you to do it," you know, and she's like, "Well, they're just going to twist my words." Dr. Bill Adkins: They both, unfortunately, liked to spend. On the 911 recording are his dying words and the sound of 11 gunshots: 911 OPERATOR: Germantown 911, where's your emergency? Ex-wife of Lorenzen Wright pleads guilty in killing of former NBA star, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Tell Me Anything, a novel that centered around the life of a woman who marries an abusive and unfaithful basketball star. Dixon's attorney, Brian Dosch, called his client's confession "garbage" and destroyed a copy of it in front of reporters. Dr. Bill Adkins: I decided to go take a look for myself. So that's an intriguing element to this. Armed with handguns, Turner and Martin went to Wrights condo in Atlanta, entered through a window and found someone sleeping on the couch in the living room but it was not Lorenzen Wright, Martin testified. Marion, who had reported her son as a missing person, said she became suspicious of his ex-wife. Deborah Marion: [to reporters on Feb. 26] This is hard, but I'm glad. He took care of Sherra Wright's lawn and was also a deacon at her church. Gayle Rose: I literally fell off my chair and on the ground and cried. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The Germantown Police Department, which declined to comment to ABC News for this report, did not follow up on the call. They found the gun that killed Lorenzen. LIVE Russia Ukraine 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. Prosecutors have decided not to seek the death penalty in the case, which is fine with Lorenzen's family.

A dispatcher then heard repeated gunshots 11 in all unaware where it was happening or who was on the other end of the line. Wright went on to play 13 seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers. For some time after Wilson was killed, Simeon issued his number 25 jersey to the player on the team that they deemed the best. A college basketball player was killed and eight other people were wounded Monday in an early-morning shooting at a gathering in Harlem, New York City police said. She pleaded not guilty. And Lorenzen was a big part of that. Sherra Wright's bond was set at $20 million. The 34-year-old father of six had been missing for days before his body was discovered. Although he skyrocketed into the fast life of the NBA, Wrights childhood friends said that he never lost touch with his roots.

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