Man accused of murdering Lorenzen Wright indicted on new charges

Credit: Fox13Memphis.com

Credit: Fox13Memphis.com

Billy Turner, the man charged in the 2010 murder of former NBA star Lorenzen Wright, is facing additional felony charges.

A grand jury returned an indictment against Turner on Thursday. The incident charges the 47-year-old with three counts being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

The indictment relates to weapons that were located during a search of his home. Investigators found a 9mm pistol, a shotgun, and a .38 revolver.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Turner was arrested and convicted of violent crimes in the 1990s.

Previously, it was reported that Collierville police arrested Turner for aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping in 1992. During the same year, police arrested him for selling cocaine and he was sentenced to four years in prison.

“Bill was always to himself and he kept to himself. Took care of his business,” said Charles Simmons, who said he knew Turner since he was a child. “I know he's innocent.”

In December 2017, Billy Turner was arrested at a gas station in Collierville. He was charged with the murder of Wright, a former NBA star and Memphis resident who was killed in July 2010.

Less than two weeks later, Lorenzen’s ex-wife, Sherra Wright-Robinson, was arrested in California.

During a December news conference, the Memphis Police Department outlined the charges against Sherra Wright and Billy Turner. Officials said the pair tried to kill Lorenzen multiple times.

In March 2018, Wright and Turner appeared in court together. Prosecutors announced they will not seek the death penalty, which aligned with the wants of Lorenzen's family.

Both Sherra Wright and Billy Turner have pleaded not guilty.

Turner’s lawyer John Perry said he is preparing for the trial, and plans to prove Turner’s innocence. That is likely months away.

Next week though, Turner will have a bond hearing, and the new charges make it all the more unlikely he will not be granted a bond.

“He needs to make bond and get out of there because the man is suffering for nothing,” Simmons said.

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