In a recent sentencing, Lonnie Dale Wright of Harriman faced judgment for his role in the 2022 double homicide of Steve Groover and Cindy Scruggs in Kingston. The District Attorney General Russell Johnson confirmed that Wright was given a 33-year prison sentence. The Roane County Criminal Court Judge Jeff Wicks decided to impose the maximum sentence, stacking three six-year terms with an additional 15 years for attempted robbery, as reported by WVLT.
Following a jury trial where Wright was found guilty on multiple charges, DA Johnson shared on Facebook, "Multiple family members gave victim impact statements to help ADA Bob Edwards and ADA Jonathan Edwards make their point that Wright’s lengthy criminal history made him deserving of the sentence, impressing the Judge that Wright remains a threat to the community." The decision encapsulates the community's and the prosecution's efforts to seek a sentence reflective of the gravity of Wright's actions.
Wright's victims, Groover, 67, and Scruggs, 62, were discovered deceased in May 2022 at Groover's residence on Buck Creek Road. Authorities initially responded to a call for help at the home before apprehending Wright months later, as narrated by the Roane County Sheriff's Office and documented on WBIR.
With the sentencing complete, Wright will continue to serve time, having been in custody since his arrest in 2022. The district attorney added that Wright will receive credit for time already served. This outcome brings a degree of resolution to a case that has significantly impacted the Roane County community and the families of the deceased.
