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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Navy sailor and convicted killer testified Thursday that Lorenzen Wright’s ex-wife requested him and one other man to kill the previous NBA participant practically 12 years in the past in Atlanta.
Jimmie Martin testified within the trial of Billy Ray Turner, who has pleaded not responsible to prices of first-degree homicide, tried homicide and conspiracy within the loss of life of Wright.
Wright’s slaying is among the most extremely publicized homicide circumstances in Memphis historical past. A Memphis native and a 6-foot, 11-inch middle who performed for 5 groups over 13 seasons, Wright additionally performed school basketball on the College of Memphis and was well-liked for his charity work in his hometown
Wright’s decomposing physique was discovered riddled with bullet wounds in a swampy discipline in east Memphis on July 28, 2010 — 9 days after he positioned a gunshot-ridden 911 name and several other days after the 34-year-old father of six was reporting lacking.
Prosecutors allege Turner and Martin had been recruited by Lorenzen Wright’s ex-wife, Sherra Wright, to kill the retired NBA participant in Atlanta, then Memphis. On the time, Martin was dealing with prices of killing his girlfriend. Martin was convicted and is at the moment serving jail time in that case. He has acquired immunity from prosecution within the Wright case.
Turner and Sherra Wright had been indicted in 2017. She entered a shock responsible plea to facilitation of homicide in July 2019 and was sentenced to 30 years in jail. Sherra Wright had helped pay for a lawyer for Martin — her cousin — to symbolize him in his girlfriend’s slaying, Martin stated.
Martin stated he served within the Navy for eight years and loved producing rap music whereas residing in Batesville, Mississippi. Martin stated he met with Sherra Wright and Turner in Could 2010 at her residence within the Memphis suburb of Collierville, the place “a ploy to kill Lorenzen Wright” was first mentioned.
Martin stated he thought Sherra Wright was “going by way of some issues,” and he advised her “this isn’t the enterprise you need to be in.” However they nonetheless participated in a brainstorming session to debate methods to “carry out the act,” Martin stated.
“What act are we speaking about?” prosecutor Paul Hagerman requested Martin.
“The homicide of Lorenzen,” Martin stated.
At a later date, Sherra Wright requested Martin to go to Atlanta to kill her ex-husband at his condominium there, with the understanding he would receives a commission for it. She gave him a automotive with three weapons, cash and marijuana within the trunk, he testified.
Martin advised Sherra Wright that he went to Atlanta however could not discover Lorenzen Wright. However, in actuality, Martin by no means even traveled there, he stated.
“She bought upset,” Martin advised the prosecutor. Martin then added: “She knew I used to be mendacity,”
Sherra Wright later advised Martin to return to Atlanta, this time with Turner, in accordance with Martin. Sherra Wright had advised him that she not too long ago had visited the rental and had left a window open, Martin testified.
Armed with handguns, Turner and Martin went to the Atlanta rental, entered by way of the open window at night time, and located somebody sleeping on the sofa in the lounge — nevertheless it was not Lorenzen Wright.
Turner and Martin returned residence with out killing Lorenzen Wright. Martin stated he was relieved that he did not should shoot anybody that night time.
“On the trip residence, the one dialog I consider we had was about how that is getting too ridiculous … this plot that Sherra had hatched,” Martin stated.
Martin testified that he and Sherra Wright spoke in code in textual content and Fb messages about their plans, corresponding to utilizing the time period “get together” in relation to the killing, Martin stated.
In his opening assertion, protection lawyer John Keith Perry questioned Martin’s credibility, saying the knowledge he gave investigators about Wright’s killing was a farce and stuffed with lies. He’ll cross-examine Martin on Friday.
A motive for the slaying was not instantly clear, although Hagerman stated in his opening assertion that the killers had been pushed by jealousy and greed. Hagerman additionally talked about $2 million, although it was not instantly clear what that meant.
Sherra Wright did obtain $1 million from her ex-husband’s life insurance coverage coverage, and settled a courtroom dispute in 2014 over how she spent the insurance coverage cash meant to profit their six youngsters, The Industrial Attraction has reported.
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