Executive Summary
- Timothy Wright was found guilty of murder by a jury on December 11 and sentenced to life in prison.
- The defendant waived a formal sentencing hearing, leading to immediate sentencing without eligibility for probation.
- The fatal shooting of Jeffrey Bizzle occurred on June 1, 2023, in Louisville; the weapon was recovered in September 2023.
- Co-defendant Willetta Lewis accepted a plea deal in May 2025, including an Alford plea for facilitation to robbery.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville jury has returned a guilty verdict against Timothy Wright for the June 2023 murder of Jeffrey Bizzle, resulting in a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of probation. The legal proceedings concluded on December 11, when Wright waived his right to a formal sentencing hearing, allowing the court to finalize the judgment immediately, according to statements from the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
The conviction stems from a homicide investigation initiated on June 1, 2023. Law enforcement officials reported that officers responded to a shooting at approximately 4:35 a.m. near the intersection of East Jacob and South Brook Streets. Police identified the victim as Jeffrey Bizzle, who succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities noted that the firearm used in the incident was recovered months later, on September 10, 2023, in the possession of Wright and a co-defendant.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers addressed the outcome, citing the jury’s decision as a firm rejection of community violence. “We have no place for gun violence in our community,” Whethers said in a statement. “With the life sentence the jury recommended in this case, they reinforced that message. This outcome serves as a reminder to everyone to think twice and put down the gun, or they too will face severe consequences.”
Court filings reveal that a second individual, Willetta Lewis, was also implicated in the case. According to prosecutors, Lewis accepted a plea agreement in May 2025. She pleaded guilty to criminal facilitation to murder and entered an Alford plea to criminal facilitation to robbery. An Alford plea allows a defendant to assert innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution possesses sufficient evidence to likely secure a conviction.
Judicial Ramifications and Sentencing Guidelines
The swift transition from verdict to sentencing in this case is notable, as the waiver of a formal hearing accelerated the imposition of the life term. By stipulating that Wright is ineligible for probation or shock probation, the court has mandated a maximum-security incarceration without the typical avenues for early release. This sentencing reflects the stringent application of Kentucky’s penal code regarding violent felonies and underscores the judicial system’s intent to deliver definitive resolutions in cases involving lethal force.
