CLARKSTON, Ga. (TCN) -- A jury recently found a man guilty of killing his stepmother over the pending sale of his childhood house.
The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office announced Sept. 4 that prosecutors secured a conviction against William Wright on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the death of his stepmother, 72-year-old Debra Wright. A judge subsequently sentenced William Wright to life in prison plus an additional five years.
According to the district attorney’s office, on the night of Feb. 17, 2023, Clarkston Police responded to a home and found the victim in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with a gunshot entry wound to the side of her head. Officers noticed the driver’s side front window was broken, and they reportedly determined the bullet had exited Debra Wright and shattered the window.
Prosecutors said a neighbor told officials he called 911 after he found Debra Wright "slumped over." The neighbor also reportedly informed police that a "man named Daniel lived in the home."
Another neighbor allegedly heard two popping sounds in the late afternoon. He reportedly went to see what was happening and found William Wright in front of the residence near the victim’s car. According to prosecutors, the neighbor also gave officials photos from his security camera showing "the passenger door of the victim’s vehicle open and blurry footage of a tall man wearing a dark top or jacket standing near the vehicle."
Officers reportedly searched the scene and located William Wright’s driver’s license, Social Security card, and a bag of bullets that seemed to match the bullet discovered near the victim’s car.
According to the district attorney’s office, a sibling of the victim told officers that Debra Wright moved into the residence 20 years earlier when she married. After her husband’s death, he had allegedly left the house to her. The victim’s relationship with her stepson, William Wright, "had become contentious when she asked him to purchase the home or move out so that she could sell," the sibling reportedly told investigators. The home was set to close the following week.
Officers responded to the house again and "observed signs that someone had returned," but they didn’t locate anyone there. Police found William Wright nearby carrying a red and black jacket, according to prosecutors. He refused to comply with officers’ commands to drop to the ground and release the jacket. The district attorney’s office said William Wright moved his hands toward his waistband, and officers saw a gun. Officers handcuffed him and observed bullets in the handgun consistent with the ones found at the residence and in the driveway. Police also reportedly noticed blood spatter stains on the jacket that they later learned matched the victim’s. Authorities confirmed the handgun was used to kill Debra Wright.
According to the district attorney’s office, William Wright confessed that he was with his stepmother on the day of her death. However, prosecutors said he told officials he went with her to a credit union and transferred money into her account to purchase his childhood home, and they went back to the residence. The defendant allegedly said he entered the house and then he went back outside, where Debra Wright was still in the driveway. William Wright reportedly told investigators he went to a bar until the next morning.
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