The 2010 murder of Lorenzen Wright would not be solved until 2017 when the murder weapon was fished out from a lake in Walnut, Mississippi, and Sherra’s cousin, Jimmie Martin, gave a testimony against her and another co-conspirator, Billy Ray Turner.
Highlights
- Sherra Robinson, the ex-wife of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, is the daughter of Julius Robinson, who was Lorenzen’s AAU basketball coach.
- She was sentenced to 30 years in prison in July 2019 for her role in his 2010 murder.
- The motive behind the murder was believed to be financial gain, particularly related to a $1 million life insurance policy held by Lorenzen Wright. Sherra Wright spent nearly all of the money within a year on luxuries.
- There was a previous attempt to kill Lorenzen Wright in Atlanta, which had failed. This was revealed by Sherra’s cousin, Jimmie Martin, who cooperated with authorities and provided key testimony against Sherra and Billy Ray Turner.
Sherra Robinson, the ex-wife of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright and the eventual convicted co-conspirator in his murder, was sentenced in July 2019 to 30 years in prison.
She was denied parole in May 2022. The Tennessee Board of Parole cited the severity of her offense as the reason for the denial. Her next parole hearing is scheduled for May 2027.
Lorenzen Wright's ex-wife pleaded guilty to facilitation of murder in the first degree on Thursday.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 25, 2019
In 2015, this is what Sherra Wright said when asked if she was involved in Wright's 2010 murder. pic.twitter.com/Iho1OBBQeN
Sherra Robinson is the daughter of Julius Robinson, who served as Lorenzen’s AAU basketball coach. Her mother’s identity is unknown.
It is reported that Sherra would come to practice and watch her father coach, which is how she met Lorenzen.
Neither of Sherra’s parents has made any public statements about the case.
Lorenzen And Sherra Had Seven Children
Lorenzen and Sherra’s relationship began during their high school years and eventually led to marriage. Together, they had seven children.
Their marriage faced significant challenges, especially after the tragic death of their infant daughter, Sierra Simone Wright, in 2003.
Lorenzen is survived by his six children, Lorenzen Wright Jr. Lawson Wright, his eldest daughter Loren Wright, twins Lamar and Shamar Wright, and his youngest daughter, Sofia Wright.
— thehickfromfrenchlick (@thehickburner) January 2, 2024
All six maintain their mother’s innocence to this day.
13/13 pic.twitter.com/9Q3kncApWQ
The couple also experienced financial difficulties, which further strained their relationship.
Lorenzen’s 13-season NBA career provided an estimated total earnings of $55 million, but poor financial management and other issues led to financial troubles.
The couple reportedly had a joint debt of $3 million.
Their divorce was finalized in January 2010, about seven months before Lorenzen’s murder.
Despite the divorce, they maintained communication and co-parented their children.
The Case Remained Unsolved For Years
Tragically, Lorenzen was reported missing on July 22, 2010.
On July 28, his decomposed body was discovered in a secluded area in southeast Memphis.
The autopsy revealed he had been shot multiple times and had been deceased for several days before his body was found.
Happy heavenly birthday to Lorenzen Wright.
— Across The Cavs (@AcrossCavs) November 4, 2024
He'd have turned 49 today. pic.twitter.com/OpQ2I6pXLv
In the early hours of July 19, 2010, a 911 call was made from Wright’s cell phone, during which gunshots were heard before the call abruptly ended.
This call was not immediately reported to supervisors, causing delays in the investigation.
The case remained unsolved for several years, causing immense grief for his family, particularly his mother, Deborah Marion, who tirelessly sought justice for her son.
In a 2022 interview, she expressed her lingering heartbreak, saying,
With Lorenzen, I’d be talking to his picture and sometimes his picture could look at me a certain way like it’s really him… He was a momma’s boy. Simple as that. He would still be a momma’s boy if he was here now.
abcnews.go.com
Sherra Was Arrested In 2017
In a significant breakthrough, the firearm believed to have been used in the murder was recovered from a lake in Walnut, Mississippi.
Subsequently, in December 2017, Billy Ray Turner, a landscaper and church deacon, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Shortly thereafter, Sherra Robinson was also arrested in California and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder.
Ex-NBA Lorenzen Wright’s Ex-Wife Sherra Wright-Robinson Arrested For Putting Out The Hit That Led to His Murder https://t.co/hqQVt7MNEa pic.twitter.com/bSLaSlXSw4
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) December 16, 2017
Prosecutors alleged that Sherra Wright orchestrated the murder, recruiting Turner and her cousin, Jimmie Martin, to carry out the crime.
Martin, who was already serving a prison sentence for an unrelated murder, cooperated with authorities and provided key testimony against Sherra Wright and Turner.
He revealed that there had been a previous attempt to kill Lorenzen Wright in Atlanta, which had failed.
In July 2019, Sherra pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Ex-wife pleads guilty in murder of former NBA hoopster Lorenzen Wright https://t.co/H2rgLsrWmV pic.twitter.com/MdJU9dVfg0
— New York Post (@nypost) July 25, 2019
Sherra Lavishly Spent The $1 Million Insurance Payout On Luxuries
The motive behind the murder was believed to be financial gain, particularly related to a $1 million life insurance policy held by Lorenzen Wright, from which Sherra Wright benefited.
As part of the divorce, Lorenzen Wright was required to pay $26,650 a month in alimony and child support for their six children based on his previous income as an NBA pro. He also had to maintain a $1 million life insurance policy, with Sherra as a trustee https://t.co/r9I9KxQevc pic.twitter.com/loRcJ72yPi
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 13, 2018
However, she spent nearly all of it within a year on expensive trips, cars, and a mansion.
Her spending included $32,000 on a Cadillac Escalade, $339,000 on a new house, $69,000 on furniture, and $11,750 on a trip to New York City. The money was meant to support their six children.
The spending report triggered an investigation into the living circumstances of Wright’s children, and a judge redirected $184,000 in death benefits to Herb Wright, Lorenzen’s father, for the children’s benefit.
Lorenzen Had A Celebrated NBA Career
Lorenzen Wright, born on November 4, 1975, in Oxford, Mississippi, was a standout basketball player from a young age.
He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he showcased exceptional talent on the court.
His skills earned him a scholarship to the University of Memphis, where he played for two seasons before declaring for the NBA Draft.
On this day in 2001, Lorenzen Wright set the Grizzlies franchise record for rebounds in a game with 26 (along with 33 points) in a loss to the Mavericks. pic.twitter.com/vTg0GGd8zJ
— Grizzlies History (@Grizzstory) November 4, 2024
In 1996, Wright was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, marking the beginning of a 13-season NBA career.
Throughout his professional journey, he played for teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Cleveland Cavaliers, amassing career averages of 8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
His last season in the NBA was the 2008-2009 season, during which he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Additional Information
- Sherra Wright Robinson is also a published author. She wrote a book titled “Mr. Tell Me Anything,” a fiction work that includes what appears to be a thinly veiled portrait of her ex-husband, Lorenzen Wright. The plot revolves around a deceitful basketball player who relocates to Memphis, marries an older woman, and becomes a basketball legend.
- Phil Dotson, Lorenzen’s best friend and fraternity brother at the University of Memphis, said about him, “He never met a fan that he didn’t like. He would sign every autograph that he came across. He was always a pillar in the community.”
