Billy Ray Turner, who is awaiting a September trial in the killing of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison on a separate gun charge.
Judge Lee Coffee sentenced Turner during a hearing Thursday in Memphis.
Turner pleaded guilty in June to possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. Prosecutors say Turner had two guns when he was charged in December 2017 with Wright’s killing.
The retired NBA player’s body was found riddled with bullet wounds in a swampy field in Memphis in July 2010.
Turner and Wright’s ex-wife were charged with first-degree murder. Sherra Wright pleaded guilty to facilitation of murder and was given a 30-year prison sentence last month.
Turner’s trial in the killing is set for Sept. 16. Turner has pleaded not guilty.
Wright, who starred at the University of Memphis, played for five teams (including the Memphis Grizzlies) over 13 seasons in the NBA.
