911 Mix-Up Delays Lorenzen Wright Investigation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Friday, detectives questioned people close to the former NBA player and tiger star, Lorenzen Wright.

But this investigation was made more difficult for Memphis Police from the very beginning. Memphis police started investigating this homicide Wednesday.

That's nine days after Lorenzen Wright called 911, nine days after detectives would have liked to begin their investigation.

The first forty-eight is a show that often featured Memphis Police detectives investigating a homicide. The premise of the show was that the ability to solve a crime is cut in half if they don't find a lead in the first 48 hours.

Memphis police started on the Lorenzen Wright case nine days after the homicide.

It all started with a 911 call Wright made from this field moments before he died. Sources who have listened to the tape said you could hear Wright yelling followed by gunshots.

That 911 call was taken by Germantown dispatchers on Monday. It's unclear if Germantown police started investigating at that point, they have declined to talk to the media. It was Collierville police who had been on the case.

But once MPD homicide heard the 911 call, investigators traced the call to the nearest cell phone tower and searched the area.

Sources say Wright's body was found within hours.

"There's been some kind of break down, whatever that is. Maybe there needs to be a review of protocol," said County Commissioner Mike Carpenter.

Carpenter said the Lorenzen Wright investigation is a perfect example why the 911 operations of Memphis, Shelby County, and the suburban cities should all be housed in one call center.

"It gives you the opportunity for number one, communication. To be able to communicate with one another under the same roof in a timely manner. Number two, I think it allows you to move toward having the same 911 system," said Carpenter.

The County Commission has approved funds to build a center to house county, Memphis, and suburban dispatchers, but so far only Memphis and the county have agreed to move in.

The suburban police departments have said no.
"They have not agreed and have in the past refused. So that has been one of the hold ups," said Carpenter.

Although the first 48 has passed, homicide detectives are making up for lost time.

They tell FOX13 they are working around the clock and have the use of all MPD's resources, from man power to technology.

Germantown Police Department said it is conducting an administrative review of how the call has handled.