Cleotha Abston to Face Jury in February
A Shelby County judge has set a trial date for Cleotha Abston, the man accused of kidnapping and killing kindergarten teacher Eliza Fletcher in Memphis, Tennessee.
Charges and Potential Penalty
Judge Lee Coffee scheduled the trial to begin on February 10, 2025. Abston faces charges of first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, and other related offenses. Prosecutors have declared their intention to seek the death penalty if Abston is convicted of first-degree murder.
Abston Maintains Innocence
Currently 40 years old, Abston has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The tragic events unfolded on September 2nd, 2022, when Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old mother of two, was abducted while jogging near the University of Memphis. Her body was discovered days later.
Defense Attorney and Prior Case
Abston’s lawyer, Juni Ganguli, confirmed they are prepared for the trial. Just weeks before the trial date was set, Abston received an 80-year prison sentence for a separate rape case. He was convicted in April 2024 of aggravated rape and kidnapping charges stemming from an assault in September 2021. Ganguli maintains Abston’s innocence in both cases and has filed an appeal for the rape verdict.
Delayed Justice in Rape Case
The delay in arresting Abston for the rape is attributed to a backlog in processing sexual assault kits. This incident prompted the Tennessee Legislature to pass a law mandating quarterly reporting on turnaround times for such investigations.
DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest
Authorities apprehended Abston after finding his DNA on sandals recovered near the location where Fletcher was last seen. An autopsy confirmed she died from a gunshot wound to the head.
