Knoxville Woman Convicted of Murder

A Knox County jury has convicted Danielle Wright, 29, of Second Degree Murder in the shooting death of Purnell Leon Nimmons. Assistant District Attorney General Kevin Allen represented the State in the three-day trial before Judge Steve W. Sword.

The incident began as a verbal altercation between Wright and Mr. Nimmons at the Lakeview Motel on Chapman Highway in South Knoxville on the evening of April 3, 2016. As the argument escalated, Wright left the motel, changed clothes, and returned approximately five minutes later and reengaged the victim. Wright brandished a handgun and shot Nimmons in the back as he attempted to escape the attack.

Judge Sword will sentence Wright at a hearing on June 8, 2017. As a first-time offender, Wright is facing 15 to 25 years in prison.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.