Major Darren Goods, Operations Commander for the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, speaks during a press conference about the arrest of Sherra Wright, the ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal
9:20 a.m.: Sherra Wright has arrived in court. Judge Lee Coffee is explaining her charges and penalty which carries up to the death penalty. "I do," she answered about if she understands.
9 a.m.: Lorenzen Wright's grandmother, Louise Vassar, wiped away tears as she waited outside the courtroom. She and others were dressed in black in mourning for him. Family entered the courtroom and his mother, Deborah Marion, is seated beside his grandmother in the front row.
8:45 a.m.: Family and friends of Lorenzen Wright are arriving to court awaiting the appearance of Sherra Wright.
Phil Dotson, a friend of Lorenzen Wright, said today is surreal, but a relief.
"It's a relief to know we're on a path to getting some answers, getting some resolution," he said. "It's very shocking that she is the one that has been implicated. I myself and his family and all of our friends and the city are looking for justice ... this is just the beginning."
From earlier:
The ex-wife of slain former NBA player Lorenzen Wright is scheduled to make her first Memphis court appearance on conspiracy and murder charges Thursday following her recent extradition from California.
Sherra Wright's first appearance in Shelby County Criminal Court comes after her arrest last month in Riverside County, California. She returned to Memphis on Saturday and is to be arraigned in the court of Judge Lee Coffee on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the case of her ex-husband's death.
More: Five things to know about Sherra Wright, charged with the murder of Lorenzen Wright
Also named in her indictment is Billy Ray Turner, who is charged in Lorenzen Wright's slaying and attended the same Collierville-area church as Sherra Wright. He was arrested Dec. 5, seven years after the body of Lorenzen Wright, 34, was found badly decomposed in late July 2010 near Callis Cutoff Road. The former University of Memphis, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers player had been shot multiple times.
Count one charges Sherra Wright and Turner with killing Lorenzen Wright with premeditation. They are also charged "in furtherance of the conspiracy" with traveling "to the area of Callis (Cutoff) and Hacks Cross to kill Lorenzen Wright," according to the indictment.
The last count charges them with trying to kill him between April 1, 2010 and July 17, 2010 in an attempt that included meeting and agreeing to kill him, acquiring guns, recruiting an unindicted co-conspirator and on the part of Turner, "traveling to and entering Lorenzen Wright's home outside of Atlanta, Georgia," the indictment says.
More: Lorenzen Wright killing: Shelby County man arrested, charged with murder in death of former NBA player
During Thursday's appearance, Sherra Wright, who is being held without bond, would hear the charges against her and the full ranges of punishment. She is in contact with attorneys Blake Ballin and Steve Farese Jr., who will ask for a 30 day continuance on Thursday, said Leslie Ballin.
More: Man charged in slaying of Lorenzen Wright pleads not guilty
More: Lorenzen Wright's mother shouts at suspect in son's killing: 'How could you have murdered my son?'
Surveillance video from Collierville Express Mart shows the arrest of Billy Ray Turner, a suspect in the death of NBA player and Memphis native Lorenzen Wright. Linda Moore/The Commercial Appeal
The charges against Turner and Sherra Wright came after an investigation authorities called Operation Rebound.
Memphis police Major Darren Goods, of the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, said in late May or early June 2016 members of the gang unit said they received information about the Lorenzen Wright case, and command staff gave permission to give the case a second look.
Goods said they joined forces with the Collierville Police Department and the FBI on the investigation, and in November 2017, police announced that a gun authorities believe to be the weapon used in Lorenzen Wright's killing had been recovered in a Walnut, Mississippi lake on County Road 302, about 50 miles east of Olive Branch.
Turner, who was also being held without bond, is due back in court Monday. He pleaded not guilty.
Check back for updates.
Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman speaks following the court appearance of Billy R. Turner who is charged with murder in the killing of Lorenzen Wright. Katie Fretland/The Commercial Appeal
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