Sherra Wright denied parole in Lorenzen Wright sentence, next hearing to be held in 2027

The Tennessee Board of Parole has denied Sherra Wright's request for parole, and she is not set to come before the board again for five years.

Wright's request was first heard May 11, where at least one member recommended her request be rejected, but the official denial came 12 days later and cited the severity of the crime as its reasoning.

According to the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Wright's next parole hearing is set for May 1, 2027. If Wright serves out her full sentence, she will be released on June 8, 2046 at the age of 75.

"Following a May 11, 2022 initial parole hearing, the Board of Parole has now finalized a decision by voting to deny parole for Sherra Wright (#00610305) based on the seriousness of the offense," a press release from the board, obtained by the Commercial Appeal, said. "The Board also set a review hearing in five years (May 2027).

"The Board independently reviewed Ms. Wright’s parole case and three concurring votes were needed to reach a final decision."

In 2019 Sherra Wright was sentenced to 30 years after she entered a guilty plea for orchestrating the 2010 murder of Lorenzen Wright, her ex-husband and former University of Memphis and Grizzlies basketball star. She has currently served about four years of that sentence.

In the board's action sheet, obtained by the Commercial Appeal through a records request, the board said, "The release from custody at this time would depreciate the seriousness of the crime of which the offender stands convicted or promote disrespect of the law."

Any action the board takes regarding parole requires three members to agree on a decision. Barrett Rich was present at the hearing and voted to decline parole the same day. Tim Gobble followed suit in declining six days later, on May 17, with the third vote coming from Gary M. Faulcon May 20.

Wright avoided a first-degree murder conviction, which could have resulted in spending life in prison, by pleading guilty to facilitation to commit attempted first-degree murder.

Lorenzen Wright: What we know about Billy Turner and Sherra Wright's involvement in Lorenzen Wright slaying

Wright is currently required to serve 30%, or nine years, of her sentence. Had she been granted parole, she would have served less than half of that minimum. She is currently being held at the Deborah K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville.

Lorenzen Wright played 13 years in the NBA. His remains were found July 28, 2010, 10 days after he was reported missing.

A co-defendant in the case, Billy Ray Turner, was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder in March 202. Turner is serving life in prison.

Lucas Finton is a news reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Sherra Wright denied parole in Lorenzen Wright sentence