TN v. Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 1 - Deborah Marion - Victim’s Mother

LIVE COVERAGE: TN v. Billy Ray Turner Trial Day 1 -Slain NBA Player Lorenzen Wright
Happening In Court:
Judge Lee Coffee Reads Preliminary Jury Instructions
Reading Of The Indictment by Paul Hagerman
Billy Ray Turner Pleads To the Indictment
Prosecution Opening Statement By Paul Hagerman
Defense Opening Statement By John Keith Perry
Lunch Break
Deborah Marion - Victim’s Mother
Claudia Robinson - Sherra Wright’s Cousin
The man who allegedly shot and killed NBA center Lorenzen Wright, 34, on behalf of the victim’s ex-wife will finally stand trial more than 11 years after the murder. Jurors will decide the fate of Billy Ray Turner, 51, in Shelby County, Tennessee. You can watch in the player above.
The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Wright 7th overall in 1996 during that era’s basketball boom period. He ended up returning to his hometown Memphis for five seasons to play for the Grizzles. It was in July 2010, the year after his final season, that he made a final 911 call to authorities in Germantown, Tennessee. 11 gunshots cut it short. He was found dead on July 28, 2010.
Authorities said he was last seen leaving the home of Sherra Wright, his ex-wife. Prosecutors say she is the woman behind his murder. She was originally charged with first-degree murder, but she ended up pleading down to lesser charges of facilitation to commit first-degree murder and facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Turner was a landscaper who went to Sherra Wright’s church. According to an affidavit, the pair were involved in a relationship at the time of Lorenzen Wright’s death, and had been heard discussing potential plots to kill the basketball player.
According to prosecutor Paul Hagerman, a man named Jimmie Martin admitted that he played a role in the murder. He helped Sherra Wright and Turner plan Lorenzen Wright’s murder, and that Sherra Wright paid him for this.
In this version of events, Sherra Wright picked him up in the days after the murder, picked up Turner, and Martin helped them clean up the crime scene and destroy evidence. Sherra Wright borrowed a metal detector from Martin’s mother in order to find the murder weapon, which Turner dropped. Martin accompanied Turner to the lake, where Turner threw away the gun.
Authorities said that Martin led authorities to that lake near Walnut, Mississippi on Nov. 9, 2017. Prosecutors have identified him as the unindicted co-conspirator in the case.
He actually was out on bond during the Wright killing. Jurors had acquitted him in 2009 for murdering his girlfriend Martha Jean Bownes, but could not reach a decision on second-degree murder, according to The Commercial Appeal. He was finally convicted on that lesser charge in 2012 and sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
Turner attorney John Keith Perry signaled that Martin lacked credibility.
“He’s a convicted murderer that was caught in, I think, 40 different lies in his trial,” he reportedly said.
#BillyRayTurner #LorenzenWright #NBA

[@karmelkisses2you1]

When she started talking i started crying. Blessings to her. ❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@gloriabyas8088]

Me too!😭This is so sad. My heart hurts for his Mom and the rest of this family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@msarmour1964]

Me too

[@elishaspencer6643]

Me too 💔

[@skyangelthefan]

Sending my deepest condolences to Ms. Deborah Marion and to the family. May peace and happier times come into their lives expeditiously.

[@sarahmoses1910]

Mrs. Marion. God has carried you through and you're looking very bright and healthy. You always said that you would get the truth . We all stood behind you. GOD has graced you.

[@debramerritt4320]

Amen!!

[@kathyhooker4968]

Beautiful picture of Lorenzen. Look how happy he looks. What a tragic loss

[@irgski]

Really like this judge! Very respectful to all.

[@Truck7983]

Seeing that woman cry talking about her son just breaks my heart because my brother was murdered while I was in prison and I wasn't there to help my momma through her grieving,but my brother case is still cold 17 years later.

[@TeeNicole10]

😰🙏

[@joanna18]

Ms. Marion just breaks my heart every single time she speaks of Lorenzen. I just can't imagine that kind of pain. I hope she gets the closure and justice she deserves.

[@msarmour1964]

I agree with you. I met her and she was very very nice and loved her son

[@starrochelle5234]

Uui

[@majaram8238]

Yes... this is heartbreaking for anyone!!! My heat goes out to anyone that had to go through this. Prayers go out to the mother, kids, extended family and friends. I even pray for the ones that took his life, they will see this again, during judgment day. 🙏🏽♥️

[@ja2415]

Joanne, Ms Marion said she will NEVER HAVE CLOSURE, BECAUSE HER SON IS GONE, 🙄 😒 😑

[@ja2415]

@@starrochelle5234 hi how u doing are u Single?

[@supasoda9030]

They should be embarrassed & fear the judge we all will face. These animals returned this 6'11 255lb young man with a beautiful smile & a huge ❤️ to his proud momma weighing only 57lbs. 😢 It breaks my heart to know they have no thought as to the destruction their actions have caused. Sherra did this all over an insurance policy, she would've got more had she let him live. Smh

[@floriataliaferro2518]

God please wrap your arms around lorenzen mother she needs you I can feel her pain

[@michellegriffin2046]

This was a very sad death. Mom is a BRAVE soul. I love Ms. Deborah. RIP Lorenzo 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Sheisneika0976]

God bless her. As a mother I can see her pain and her joy when talking about him.

[@iamchrist1507]

Sherra, "Police need to handle their business." They did. Great job police.

[@girlfromsouth214]

Poor Momma. I imagine the greatest loss one could ever endure is the death of a child, especially at the hand of the mother of his children. She made a very good witness and seems like a very likeable lady who loves deeply.

[@ginasimmons993]

She is such a sweetheart I just want all who was involved to get there day

[@majolliffe79]

@@ginasimmons993 rrr

[@carmenf9802]

My heart breaks for his mama 💔 😢

[@smudent2010]

The youtube video "Lorenzen Wright - NBA Jam 2002" shows just how down to earth and genuine he was.

[@meli_mel2921]

His momma’s testimony broke my heart 💔

[@Dimples411]

Oh my god the way I’m crying right now watching this… my heart goes out to his mother. This has to be terribly hard for her. Thank you Jesus for giving her the strength to be able to testify.

[@croach2194]

I love this judge. He has the courtesy to let the jury know exactly what everything means sot they do not have to speculate. The defense attorney is not making the "nanny" look bad although he is trying to. She is standing up to him very well. But Billy, with his glasses up on his forehead is looking very menacing.

[@kimkey5282]

💯💯

[@lisawarr]

Totally agree. First judge I have heard explaining objections and why he’s made his ruling. Seems like a lovely man.

[@vickeygilliam2592]

It’s nothing like the love/bond of a Mother and Son.

[@jearldchambers384]

I'm Just Crying This Hurts Man Lorenzen We Missed You So Much Man Ms Marion I'm Praying For You And The Family 🙏

[@sarahmoses1910]

Can you imagine what the church is saying about this so called married Deacon. He committed the unfathomable. Unbelievable.

[@authenticme7351]

Omg! My son is 27. I started crying when this woman started talking about her son. She's trying to be strong.. Omg!! I love this woman. RIP Lorenzen 💔 🙏 🕊

[@marleen6507]

Mama breaks my heart. Thank the Lord her son gave her grandchildren, she will always have a reminder of her son.

[@carmenf9802]

But they dont have a close relationship with the grandmother because of LIES that evil mother of theirs told them !

[@ginasimmons993]

I feel for his mother,I’m glad she can see the trial

[@kathyhooker4968]

OMGosh, this brought tears to my eyes. She is such a sweetheart.

[@ceemac5656]

Bless his Mother's heart. She has to live without her son being in this world. So sad. May God bring her comfort and the Peace that only Jesus Christ can provide. Blessings to her forever. Amen. 💜🙏🏽

[@joegeorge3889]

Screw your jessus

[@carmenf9802]

She also has to relive the pain of her grandkids believing the mother's lies she told about their dad & the kids have no relationship with their grandmom !

[@MsDimples1979]

Absolutely heartbreaking 💔😥

[@mariarussell354]

Ms.Marion is such a sweet,humble little lady I can't imagine how she feels and I don't want to know how she feels because I am a mom too Lord please have mercy on her!

[@caramelkimmiekim8272]

🙏🏾Praying for the family and mainly his mom

[@shastajustice3753]

Here's another decent woman, the nanny. She is kicking the defense attorney's behind!! She should pursue law school. 🤣😂😆

[@enlightenedandloved6051]

Yep. That defense lawyer really thought he was doing something too.

[@Rosebud62492]

This defense lawyer forgot the rules of 🙈🙉🙊 the code of survival..😒😒😒

[@authenticme7351]

This makes me mad all over again.. trifling Biii!! Sherra!! How could you??😡😡

[@sharoncarter4107]

PEACE AND BLESSINGS TO A BELOVED MOM,,🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@tinaallen6204]

This judge is good!

[@stacemo]

She speak with so much adoration when it come to her son.

[@shastajustice3753]

This mother loves her son. She is someone I'd like to meet, a good woman.

[@LadyNYC211]

The poor mother. I wish the prosecutors would use a mic or raise their voices. I can barely hear them.

[@bobbiejoecassell6717]

I absolutely LOVE this judge! God bless him in all he does.

[@enlightenedandloved6051]

This truly broke my heart. Losing a child is one of the worst heartaches a parent can experience. Losing a child to murder just makes it worse. We're never prepared to bury our children.

[@thedistinctlady5972]

God Bless Ms. Deborah, she's been through so much. I hope his ex-wife Sherra's days in prison are long and miserable. Sherra looks terrible now and I'm glad about that. She deserves everything negative that comes her way. Such a senseless and selfish act.

[@ImTanzy]

And you said what you said 💯

[@stacemo]

She sure does

[@ridingtheroad185]

This Defense attorney is so confused! He can't seem to know the difference from calls she made on behalf of the Cops vs her knowledge to things. He will do this throughout the trial to others also. PLEASE take his law license away!! Trying to perjure her on what she knows vs what they had her say......he is FAR TOO RUDE!! His arrogance is going to turn the jury on his client!

[@nosbigem]

Ms. Marion I pray for you. I will never forget the day I saw Ms. Marion running down the road on the New to get to where her baby was laying dead.

[@kappy477]

I Love His Mother Mrs Deborah Marion I Can’t Take Her Pain I Cry So Hard I Wouldn’t Know what That Pain feel like because I Never Lose A Child Please God Take Care of His Mother 🙏🏾

[@lindaarrington9397]

May God bless the victims mama What a lovely lady

[@ericadavis762]

Love you Ms. Marion. May your baby rest in peace with God❤️😭

[@traceebrown586]

Love how cousin Claudia is handling herself, the audacity of the Defense. This is REAL LIFE.......

[@honormosley2915]

God bless his mother, this is so sad how could someone be so hurtful and just take someone life over money, just evil.

[@ceedee8953]

I know you have to give your client the best defense, but this attorney is beating a dead horse. It's like, everyone gets the phone convo but him. Dude!!! She's not going to say what YOU want her to. And the attitude..."Are you finished" while the witness it talking. JUST RUDE! Whew boy!🙄

[@bobbiejoecassell6717]

What an awesome mama! My heart goes out to her in full. God bless this mama, I love her and pray for her peace and comfort. Rest high Lorenzen. Prayers to the children.

[@staceybrown5877]

Payers for the mother , has to endure this mess, theses people took a persons life , they all need to be under jail

[@mariej.richard5114]

Awe her pain and her journey we salute you

[@donitasimmons458]

Lord my heart is 💔 for her…😭😭😭

[@raineyj560]

Bless his mom!!!!

[@scrillscrill1099]

Im proud of Ms Deborah. She has stayed true to her son and I never saw her come out of character. I could only imagine the strength it took for her to be in Sherra's presence and to speak Sherra about seeing her grand children. I think she won't last long after all this is over.

[@kimberlyirons807]

I pray that she pull through!! Because the God we serve is a good god!!

[@tinadavis566]

No weapon formed against us shall prosper and I hope that she can get a relationship with her grandkids again because that's the only mother they're going to have❤

[@debramerritt4320]

@@tinadavis566 Amen!!

[@ja2415]

@@kimberlyirons807 capital G, GOD

[@kitkat7871]

I hope L.W. and his family finally get some sort of justice.

[@scrillscrill1099]

Justice is being served very cold beginning with Sherra's face falling. Not a stroke but Bells Palsy.

[@yvonnesteward103]

Absolutely AmaZing Mom, totally beautiful Son, Lorenzen Wright. God loves us and promises to repay this Evil. May peace be with them FOREVER. ❤❤❤

[@jamjam8793]

what a beautiful love Ms. Maron has for her boy. Perseverance for justice that she is finally getting for Lorenzen. I pray this momma will at least get some peace in her heart knowing these deviants are off the streets 💙🙏

[@lovepet4565]

I love Ms Deb poor poor mama

[@stacemo]

He’s rude asking her if she’s done.

[@culenahalim9683]

I love the Judge you will not be disrespectful....in my court room.

[@SuperZytoon]

Bless this Momma’s heart. She loved her son so deeply and was very proud of his accomplishments. She just broke my heart. She is so brave and strong to testify.

[@mdavis5071]

I don’t like this defense atty. first off he’s trying to get this witness confused. He don’t even know what year he was killed

[@lindacampbell1001]

I feel so bad for her. God please help her and her family.

[@belmaomanovic8590]

This is so sad ! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@tamintrisrobinsonrealtor3672]

I. Wished the cousin would have said something to the police or His. Mother. Could have possibly save his life

[@deyonnewatts1437]

Ms. Marion, speaks totally from her heart and the world can see her anxiety flowing in abundance. I will forever love Ms. Marion and I wish her all of the Lord's strength and power, to heal and mend her heart back together.

[@realtv8132]

Defense only asked the mother a question to save face otherwise the question was redundant! Sherra is already in jail therefore Mr. Turner's fate was inevitable!!!

[@lovelydoll1117]

So sad I couldn't imagine being in his mother shoes .my heart breaks😢 for her .to relive that hurt in pain. she has to endure doing this trail .I pray 🙏justice serve .for her in family God bless her soul. My Condolences to Mrs Deborah in Family. 😢

[@faykouri1162]

Such a tragedy , his poor mother!

[@robinrandle8030]

I love to meet this strong queen and hug her

[@jeanettewinslow1781]

So sorry 😢 for his momma and the defense attorney was trying to confuse the young lady but she wasn’t going no matter how he turned it around she was on it glad for the young lady the witness

[@patriciaholloway1]

So why didn’t tell the police about this conversation

[@ImTanzy]

Exactly. And why did they feel so comfortable talking about that around her? I'm switching immediately 💯

[@wendymitchell968]

That’s strange that she didn’t warn anybody about that conversation

[@sierramcclary2897]

She said she didn’t say anything because Sherra threatened to kill her

[@robertjyles4999]

All that plotting and sceeming to take that man life wasn't even worth it, now they got a lot of regret going on hating they ever was involved with such foolishness, his mother carried him and birth him and raise him so he can become the man he was, then another women that birth his kids and took his life and her life is destroyed also now what, every body broke now and all the bullcrap wasn't even worth it.

[@tammyslade9441]

Beautiful son🥰

[@jax6521]

Sound is so bad. Hope it improves

[@jalenjohn6132]

I honestly think Ms Robinson wasn’t scared, she knew she had a share of that money to get… ain’t no way! she knew this man, whom she was supposedly close to, was going to get murdered & not say a word to anyone… that’s just crazy to me… let the shoe had been on the other foot, she surely would’ve thought differently.

[@WeAintGotNoQuit]

The sound is terrible, total waste of time 🤷‍♀️

[@ja2415]

Anyone Know who is the Young lady on the Stand Speaking?

[@danielleyeap]

All my respect to Ms Deborah Marion ❤️ She does an amazing job advocating for Lorenzens memory. I know she made him proud with her pursuit of justice. So sad an evil spiteful woman (sherra) had to snuff out his light because she was a selfish trash person Sending love and positive vibes to Lorenzens family for healing & hopefully since the plot is 💯 exposed they can begin to mourn his loss fully

[@PurplePasion]

Heartbreaking ☹

[@therealsongstress]

Best witness for the prosecutor EVER!!!

[@anniejohnson5165]

Something about a murderer's eyes?

[@rosettadenton2876]

Yes..the eyes or the window to the soul. Bible...🙏🙏

[@Veronica-ij1zj]

Those were convos per police request…

[@msarmour1964]

This is messing me up with this testimony 😢

[@antionettegreer6635]

LORENZEN WRIGHT 🏀 The mother of his kids actually had him murdered for money this is the kind of greed that makes no sense it's heartless no concern for her children couldn't have been if you could do this not ever concern because he'll be gone for good. Disgusting and greedy 💯

[@bryanmartin2858]

I have to give it to this defense lawyer. He definitely tried, but the big facts of this case prevailed.

[@therealsongstress]

You’re the one giving the speech defense attorney

[@traceebrown586]

She is not the criminal sir,

[@BriannaDaylon]

Shes adorable!!!! She’s the true definition of a mother…she never stopped searching for son’s killer

[@stacemo]

Who is Jimmy? Y’all think he snitched because he got mad at Billy about something. It’s strange after alllll these years Jimmy decide to tell where the gun is. They were doing entirely too much talking amongst each other.

[@kcoburn8132]

Jimmie "confessed'" some time after he was indicted for another murder did..He basically used the confession as a get outta jail free card.. Ppl saying he's smiling because he's finally able to tell his truth is pure BS..Dude is straight evil...

[@ridingtheroad185]

He was found guilty of murder to his GF/wife and decided these need to be found out also I guess. Everything he has said has been cooberated with evidence. He thought it would help with his sentencing I believe,

[@stacemo]

@@ridingtheroad185 wow. He killed his gf?!!

[@ridingtheroad185]

@@stacemo from a news article. "Jimmie Martin, who was previously acquitted of first-degree murder in 2010, claimed that the shooting that took place back on January 13, 2007 was an accident and that he and his girlfriend were trying to investigate a possible break-in in their place at the Edgewater Apartments near Sycamore View and Raleigh-LaGrange."

[@jalenjohn6132]

@@kcoburn8132 I thought the same thing, he had a smile on his face that just seemed devilish considering the circumstances

[@therealsongstress]

I like how she keeping her cool … don’t be rattled Claudia

[@therealsongstress]

Hey defense attorney stop confusing the witness

[@TeeNicole10]

MANNNNN I LOVE MS.MARION❤🤞

[@dorothym8738]

This courtroom looks like it was built in one afternoon by the local high school Shop class. It’s super cheap looking! 😱

[@patriciaholloway1]

What did she do

[@lovepet4565]

Lost her son to murder by her snake of a daughter in law

[@patriciaholloway1]

@@lovepet4565 oh thank didn’t hear about this wow

[@lovepet4565]

Lorenzo Wright, the bball legend Memphis . The wife and this guy who worked for them shot him left him to rot He weighed 57 lbs by time of autopsy He called 911 w shots fired but no talking They ignored the call!!!

[@karmelkisses2you1]

@@lovepet4565 911 ignored the call? Geesh thats ****

[@lovepet4565]

@@karmelkisses2you1 yup It was just a ton of shots Mens voice: lorenzan then Billy rays But they just let it go Such bullshite

[@authenticme7351]

The cousin stood her ground

[@therealsongstress]

I hate the defense attorney 🤨🤨🤨

[@alicewhashintong555]

Awesome mother Loving mother. 8 pounds when he was Born wow.. .. oh Jesus..

[@therealsongstress]

He is slow

[@karmelkisses2you1]

This defense attorney aint playing wit oh girl 😂😂 gotta give him credit, HE ON IT AN HIS lil impersonating talking is everything 😂😂 U didn’t say’oh girrll he a creep’😂😂

[@JUST_COMMENTARY]

He really wasn’t on it.. he was really trying to trip her up with his jumbled questioning by trying to switch up what had been said, when and how things were said. She did not change her statements nor was she shaken by him conjoining conversations in an attempt to try to make it look like she was not being truthful to the jury. And he tried to scare her with that whole “perjury” comment…He failed! He was emotional and ineffective. And to add insult, he argued with the judge and was just hostile! Horrible Defense! My POV respectfully!

[@karmelkisses2you1]

@@JUST_COMMENTARY blah blah blah yes he was. Snd im not reading ur statement😂 save it for the judge

[@JUST_COMMENTARY]

@@karmelkisses2you1 😂😂😂😂 I guess you feel like you got me together. 😂😂😂 Just say you’re lazy and don’t have the mental capacity to read other ppls POV. No problem! ✌🏽

[@Brizeagle]

Wtf?? Do you speak English at all?

[@sharoncarter4107]

You trying to patronize her and it's not working!!!

[@lallen8131]

she's foul...she should have said something. she knew they murdered that baby. She isn't all that innocent. I'm not buying that "i was scared" crap either!

[@sarahmoses1910]

I totally agree. She already knew exactly what was going here she's the baby sitter and I'm sure they paid her if her life was threatened then she deserved that for concealing a lie.

[@wendymitchell968]

She should have told…

[@sierramcclary2897]

She said that Sherra threatened to kill her. I do believe that she was scared. I can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t be scared if someone in their family put a hit out on their spouse