Evergreen Reporter

Keanan Turner, a 35-year-old resident of Clinton, Maryland, has been sentenced to 68 years in prison for the murders of Wanda Wright and Ebony Wright. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Turner was also convicted for shooting a third victim, attempting to murder an infant, and setting fire to their apartment.

On July 26, 2024, a D.C. Superior Court jury found Turner guilty on multiple charges including two counts of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, attempted first-degree murder of a minor, second-degree cruelty to children, arson, and destruction of property. Additionally, he was found guilty of four counts related to firearm possession during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license.

During the sentencing on October 18, 2024, the prosecution argued for life imprisonment without parole based on several factors: Turner's lack of remorse, premeditated planning leading up to the offense, the simultaneous commission of two murders, and the heinous nature of his crimes which included attempting to kill his own child by setting fire to the apartment.

The court heard that Ebony Wright had been in a relationship with Turner and became pregnant. After she refused his request to terminate the pregnancy and filed for custody and child support post-birth, Turner visited her apartment under the pretense of meeting his child. He subsequently shot Ebony Wright in the head as she held their son before killing her mother Wanda Wright in similar fashion. He also shot another female relative who survived and managed to save the child from the ensuing fire started by Turner.

U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith acknowledged contributions from various individuals involved in handling this case including Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney and Mabry Johnson; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim Witness Services Coordinators Maenylie Watson and Shanika J. McCullough; Supervisory Specialist Lesley Slade; Appellate Supervisor Nicholas Coleman; IT specialists among others; Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Korba who investigated it along with Assistant U.S Attorneys Miles Janssen and Emma McArthur who prosecuted it.