“Sherra Wright has been transferred from Shelby County Jail East and is now in the custody of Tennessee Department of Corrections.”
That’s the message posted on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Twitter site on Friday.
Wright pled guilty on Thursday for her part in the 2010 killing of her ex-husband, Lorenzen Wright, the former NBA stalwart and University of Memphis basketball star. She also was sentenced in connection with an earlier attempt to kill Wright.
The two convictions are to run concurrently, making one effective sentence of 30 years at 30 percent eligibility, meaning she would have to serve nine years to be eligible for parole. With time served, she technically could be free in about eight years.
Lorenzen Wright’s body was found on July 28, 2010. His mother, Deborah Marion, had reported him missing several days before.
A co-defendant, Billy Ray Turner, is scheduled for trial in September.
Sherra Wright responds to Judge Lee Coffee. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Judge Lee Coffee prepares to ask Sherra Wright to verify her signature. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Sherra Wright on the stand as Judge Lee Coffee goes over the plea details.
The defense team.
Deborah Marion (left) and Sherra Wright hear Judge Lee Coffee set the context for Marion to address the court. She told Sherra Wright that she wanted to see her grandchildren. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
The family and friends of Lorenzen Wright take in the details of Sherra Wright’s plea agreement. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Burn Gundy, Deborah Marion’s uncle, talks about her long need for closure. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku). (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Deborah Marion says the family wants Sherra Wright to serve as much time as possible. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Montel Nevels, Lorenzen Wright’s childhood friend, said he never expected the case to go to trial. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Sherra Wright hears Judge Lee Coffee detail her plea agreement. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Deborah Marion addresses Sherra Wright after the guilty plea. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Judge Lee Coffee swears in Sherra Wright for the change-of-plea hearing. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku/The New Tri-State Defender)
Sherra Wright awaits the start of the court hearing where she pled guilty to her part in the killing of her ex-husband, Lorenzen Wright. Seated behind her is Deborah Marion, Lorenzen Wright’s mother. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)
Sherra Wright enters Judge Lee Coffee’s chambers with the intent of pleading guilty in the killing of Lorenzen Wright. (Photo: Karanja A. Ajanaku)