Man Convicted of Killing Stepmother Over Pending Sale of Childhood Home in Clarkston

A jury in DeKalb County, Georgia, has convicted William Wright of murdering his stepmother, 72-year-old Debra Wright, over the impending sale of his childhood home. The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office announced on September 4 that Wright was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to life in prison, plus an additional five years.

The tragic incident occurred on February 17, 2023, when Clarkston Police responded to a call and found Debra Wright slumped in the driver’s seat of her car, a gunshot wound to the side of her head. The car’s driver-side window was shattered, suggesting the bullet exited her body and broke the glass.

Witnesses played a crucial role in the investigation. A neighbor who discovered Debra Wright’s body reported the incident to the authorities, while another neighbor recalled hearing two gunshots and seeing William Wright near the victim’s car shortly afterward. Security camera footage provided by this neighbor showed a man, believed to be William Wright, near the vehicle.

Evidence at the scene, including Wright’s driver’s license, Social Security card, and bullets matching the one found near the car, further linked him to the crime. Prosecutors revealed that tensions had escalated between William Wright and his stepmother after she asked him to either purchase the home or move out so she could sell it. The sale was set to close just a week after the murder.

Following the shooting, Wright was apprehended nearby, carrying a jacket stained with blood matching the victim’s, and a handgun consistent with the bullets found at the scene. The weapon was later confirmed to be the one used in the killing.

The conviction brings a tragic end to a family dispute over property, with William Wright now facing the consequences of his actions behind bars.