Clarkston Man Convicted of Stepmother’s Murder Over Home Sale Dispute

On Thursday, August 29, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that a jury found William Daniel Wright guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony. The charges stem from the murder of Debra Wright, 72, his stepmother, over a dispute regarding the sale of his childhood home.

The incident occurred on February 17, 2023, when officers from the Clarkston Police Department responded to a report of a person shot in the 1100 block of Rogers Street, Clarkston. They found Debra Wright deceased in the driver’s seat of a car in her driveway, with a gunshot wound to the right side of her head. The driver’s side front window was shattered, and a bullet was discovered a few feet from the car.

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and observing Wright near the victim’s vehicle. A neighbor provided security camera footage showing a man matching Wright’s description standing near the victim’s car. During a search of Wright’s home, officers found his driver’s license and social security card, along with a bag of bullets matching those found at the crime scene.

Further investigation revealed that Debra Wright had moved into the Rogers Street home 20 years prior when she married. Her husband’s death had left the house to her, and her relationship with Wright had become strained over her decision to sell the home. The sale was scheduled to close the following week.

When police later found Wright, he was carrying a jacket that had bloodstains matching the victim’s DNA and a handgun with bullets that matched those found at the scene. During questioning, Wright admitted to being with Debra on the day of the murder but denied involvement in her death. He claimed to have gone to a bar after leaving her in the driveway.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Shondeana Morris sentenced Wright to life in prison plus five years immediately after the verdict. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kara Roberts, with assistance from Senior Assistant District Attorney Parker Aziz, District Attorney Investigator J.B. Williams, and Victim Advocate Millicent Taylor. Clarkston Police Department Det. William Hilton led the initial investigation.