Cleotha Abston, a Tennessee man, was found guilty of kidnapping and raping a woman in September 2021. The victim reported that Abston held her at gunpoint, covered her face with a T-shirt, and raped her in the backseat of a vehicle. The victim testified that she complied with his demands out of fear for her life. Abston was convicted by a Memphis jury on charges of aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was not charged in the 2021 rape case until later when he was also charged in the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher in September 2022.
Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old kindergarten teacher and mother of two, was allegedly kidnapped and killed by Cleotha Abston during her morning run in September 2022. Abston has pleaded not guilty to the charges of kidnapping and killing Fletcher. Prior to his trial for the 2021 rape, Abston’s lawyer filed a motion for a change of venue to have the trial heard by jurors from the Nashville area instead of Memphis due to concerns about media coverage affecting the fairness of the trial. The motion was denied by the Shelby County Judge Lee Coffee. The trial date for the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher has not yet been set.
The victim of the 2021 rape case sued the city of Memphis, alleging that the police department did not properly investigate her case, resulting in a delay in charging Abston for the crime. The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge. The Tennessee legislature passed a law requiring the state Bureau of Investigation to issue quarterly reports on sexual assault kit testing times in response to Fletcher’s death. Abston’s violent history of rape, assault, and kidnapping has been detailed, with the jury finding him guilty of the charges related to the 2021 rape case.
Abston’s criminal history includes charges of aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon. The victim in the 2021 rape case testified that she feared for her life and complied with Abston’s demands. Abston’s lawyer argued for a change of venue for the trial in light of heavy media coverage, but the motion was denied. The trial for the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher, a beloved teacher and mother, has yet to be scheduled. Abston has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Fletcher’s case, and his violent past and criminal behavior have been brought to light during his trials.
