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Cleotha Abston pleads guilty to murdering Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher

Harry October 29, 2024

Cleotha Abston, who authorities say kidnapped and later killed the Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher going for a run in the early hours of September 2, 2022His family said he admitted his guilt.

The indictment follows a criminal case that has dragged on for more than two years and Abston to avoid death penalty.

When he was first arrested in connection with Fletcher’s kidnapping, he was charged with first-degree murder, specifically aggravated kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence.

In the statement made by the prosecutor’s office, it was stated that Abston would face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, instead of the death penalty, which Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy’s office announced that he wanted in the case.

“No legal solutions and no punishment can lessen the pain of Liza’s murder,” Fletcher’s family said in a statement sent to the media. he said. “We recognize that her killer has pleaded guilty to all charges, will spend the rest of his life in prison, and is unable to harm anyone else. We are very grateful for the commitment and professionalism of law enforcement and the district attorney’s office. We especially want to recognize Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman for his tireless work on Liza’s behalf .”

Fletcher’s abduction launched a multi-day, multi-agency manhunt in Memphis. Footage from the University of Memphis campus, taken during a morning run, shows someone in a dark SUV approaching Fletcher and forcing him into the vehicle after a brief struggle.

Abston was arrested the day after Fletcher was kidnapped. He was initially charged with particularly aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Fletcher’s body was not found until September 5three days after his abduction. A day after Fletcher’s remains were found, first-degree murder and kidnapping charges were added to Abston’s case.

Fletcher, who was 34 when she died, was a mother of two, living in St. He was a teacher at St. Mary’s Episcopal School and was described as an avid runner.

She graduated from the Hutchison School in 2006 and earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Baylor University, according to the girls’ school’s website. St. She earned her master of arts degree in teaching with an emphasis in elementary education at Belmont University, according to a post from St. Mary’s.

Abston convicted of a 2021 rape More than six months before he entered the plea Monday. HE The rape was not solved until CODIS retrieved DNA from a rape kit labeled AbstonIt is a national DNA database.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter for the Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at: [email protected]or (901)208-3922 and follow @LucasFinton on X, formerly known as Twitter.