A Tennessee man named Cleotha Abston pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Memphis mother Eliza Fletcher during her morning jog in 2022. Abston was able to avoid the death penalty with a plea deal, facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. Fletcher, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of two, was abducted while out on a run and her body was found three days later. Abston, who was arrested a day after the abduction, was initially charged with kidnapping and tampering with evidence, with murder charges added later.
Abston’s attorneys advised him to plead guilty due to overwhelming evidence against him and the likelihood of a death penalty sentence. He had previously been convicted of a 2021 rape, which went unsolved until DNA evidence linked him to the crime. Fletcher was a beloved teacher and mother, known for her passion for running. She was described as full of life and had a promising career ahead of her as a teacher and coach.
Her family expressed gratitude for the work of law enforcement and prosecutors in bringing Abston to justice and ensuring he will not harm anyone else. They also addressed Abston directly, condemning his actions as evil and expressing the lasting impact of his actions on their lives. Abston’s guilty plea brings a sense of closure for Fletcher’s family and the community, but the pain of her loss remains despite the legal resolution.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com