Lorenzen Wright case: Billy Turner's trial delayed to allow time for evidence review

Daniel Connolly
Memphis Commercial Appeal

The trial of Billy Ray Turner, charged with first-degree murder in the killing of basketball star Lorenzen Wright, has been delayed to allow Turner's defense team more time to review additional evidence that was recently turned over by the prosecution.

The trial had been scheduled to begin September 16, but Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee announced Thursday it has been taken off the court docket due to the recently disclosed evidence. No new trial date has been set.

Turner will return to court September 16 for a report date.

Turner's defense lawyer, John Keith Perry, said the prosecution handed over a bankers' box and several accordion files that include various documents and some recordings. 

Defendant Billy Ray Turner and his attorney John Keith Perry make an appearance in Judge Lee Coffee's courtroom Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. Turner is charged with killing NBA star Lorenzen Wright.

He said he got the material in recent days and the prosecutor told him the state should have handed over the information earlier. “I went over to Hagerman’s office where they have the discovery materials," Perry said. "And he just said there was a mistake and you’re entitled to this material.”

Perry said he doesn't know the nature of all the new evidence because he hasn't had time to review it, but believes it includes bank records, videos of some places relevant to the case as well as information about other people who have been named in the case. "So there’s not a lot as it relates to something that (Turner) might have said or have done,” he said.

Perry said the prosecution had already handed over a large amount of information to the defense through the discovery process. He said he understands that people make mistakes, and the delayed release of this evidence doesn't pose a problem because it happened before the trial, not after. 

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman initially wouldn't comment on the additional evidence. But later, he emailed a statement via the District Attorney's office.

“We turned over evidence, some of which could be characterized as new and some of which could be characterized as older documents that had been tagged into evidence but not included in the case file," he said. 

"We want Mr. Turner and his attorney to have everything. We have and will continue to go well beyond our discovery obligations. Delay is never welcomed, but this is everyone trying to work to get this thing right. We have a good relationship with defense counsel and will continue to share everything we have and anything we may uncover.”

It's not clear when the case might go to trial. Hagerman said it could happen early next year, while Perry said he doesn't know.

Perry said he believes a trial will show that Turner is not guilty of Lorenzen Wright's killing. 

Turner's court appearance on Thursday morning lasted only about three minutes. The victim's mother, Deborah Marion, attended the hearing. "Because he was part of the assassination of my son," she told reporters afterward. "I don't care if he walks in that courtroom and sneeze. I want to be there to watch him sneeze. It's not over."

She told reporters she was glad for the delay of the trial. "The more time they got, the more time they (have to) find out what they need."

In July, Turner's co-defendant, Sherra Wright, the ex-wife of the basketball player, who had also been charged with first-degree murder in the killing, entered a guilty plea to lesser charges, avoiding a possible life sentence. 

Sherra Wright pleads guilty:In stunner, Sherra Wright pleads guilty in Lorenzen Wright case, could become eligible for release in roughly 7 years

She might become eligible for release in roughly seven years, though her actual release date will depend on factors including a parole board's judgement. The victim's mother said she will oppose early release.

Then earlier this month, Turner, a longtime Collierville resident, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on a gun charge. Due to felony convictions dating from the early 1990s, he was banned from owning firearms, and he had admitted to possession of a shotgun.

Turner must serve 35 percent of the 16-year sentence, or about five years, seven months, though the judge said the exact release date will depend on credits and other factors. A parole board would have to approve Turner's release.

Turner is charged with first-degree murder and other counts in relation to the Lorenzen Wright case. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

Lorenzen Wright was a star player for the University of Memphis who went on to play for NBA teams including the Memphis Grizzlies. 

He disappeared around July 19, 2010, and was found days later in a field near the TPC Southwind golf course, fatally shot. He was 34.

June 26, 2015 - Photos of Lorenzen Wright displayed in the home of Deborah Marion, Lorenzen's mother.

For years, the high-profile killing went unsolved. Then in 2017, authorities arrested Turner and Sherra Wright.

Prosecutors said the two planned the homicide of Lorenzen Wright in coordination with a third man, Jimmie Martin, who is currently serving a prison sentence for another murder. Martin has not been charged in the Lorenzen Wright killing. 

The prosecution has said Martin told authorities that among other things, he had cooperated with Turner in an earlier, unsuccessful attempt to kill Lorenzen Wright in Atlanta and that he helped Turner and Sherra Wright clean up the crime scene in the field. Martin also led authorities to the lake where a pistol used in the killing had been dumped, the prosecution has said. 

Turner's defense lawyer, Perry, has said Martin is a liar and that his accusations against Turner are unreliable.

However, statements by the prosecution indicate that if the case goes to trial, the state will introduce intercepted phone calls, text messages and other information to corroborate Martin's statements against Turner and prove he was part of a conspiracy.

 Investigative reporter Daniel Connolly welcomes tips and comments from the public. Reach him at 529-5296, daniel.connolly@commercialappeal.com, or on Twitter at @danielconnolly.