Found Deceased TN - Eliza "Liza" Fletcher, 34, Abducted While Jogging, Memphis, 2022 *arrest* #5

[Seattle1]

I've often wondered how these evil sex criminals "do" in prison.

He's been a career, "100% violent" offender since age 11, and feels no remorse for his vicious crimes against women. He was released from prison in 2020 when his sentence expired. IMO, he does much better in prison than being outside-- and never should have been released in 2020.

Cleotha Abston’s lengthy criminal record started at 11 years old

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)– WREG Investigators have learned that Cleotha Abston, the suspect in Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping and murder, has been in trouble with the law since he was 11 years…

www.wjtv.com

 

[ilovewings]

He's been a career, "100% violent" offender since age 11, and feels no remorse for his vicious crimes against women. He was released from prison in 2020 when his sentence expired. IMO, he does much better in prison than being outside-- and never should have been released in 2020.

Cleotha Abston’s lengthy criminal record started at 11 years old

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)– WREG Investigators have learned that Cleotha Abston, the suspect in Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping and murder, has been in trouble with the law since he was 11 years…

www.wjtv.com

He is just another career criminal that gets released way too soon and goes on to commit worse and worse crimes culminating in murder, sometimes multiple murders. Our prison system is a train wreck.

 

[weedemout]

So the 80 years are for the other woman's case, not Fletchers? Am I reading that right?

 

[steeltowngirl]

So the 80 years are for the other woman's case, not Fletchers? Am I reading that right?

Correct.

Cleo’s murder trial for Eliza is not yet scheduled.

“The April rape trial will take place before the trial in the Fletcher case. Prosecutors say they will pursue the death penalty if Abston is convicted of first-degree murder in Fletcher’s death, but no trial date has been set in that case.”

Judge denies change of venue motion in rape trial of man also accused of Memphis teacher's killing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man accused of raping a woman a year before he was charged with kidnapping and killing a schoolteacher will have his fate decided by a Memphis-area jury when he goes to trial in the sexual assault case, a judge has ruled.

apnews.com

 

[CuriousCricket]

Correct.

Cleo’s murder trial for Eliza is not yet scheduled.

“The April rape trial will take place before the trial in the Fletcher case. Prosecutors say they will pursue the death penalty if Abston is convicted of first-degree murder in Fletcher’s death, but no trial date has been set in that case.”

Judge denies change of venue motion in rape trial of man also accused of Memphis teacher's killing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man accused of raping a woman a year before he was charged with kidnapping and killing a schoolteacher will have his fate decided by a Memphis-area jury when he goes to trial in the sexual assault case, a judge has ruled.

apnews.com

This violent, career criminal is exactly the type person for whom the death penalty was designed. Not as a deterrent, but to keep them from escaping or being released to commit more and more violence against an innocent public.

 

[weedemout]

I don't understand how it's so serious that it can be an 80-year sentence, but not serious enough to lock him up immediately after it happened.

 

[steeltowngirl]

I don't understand how it's so serious that it can be an 80-year sentence, but not serious enough to lock him up immediately after it happened.

Pookie is in jail, pending prison. Detailed Results

Inmate Lookup Tool

Name: CLEOTHA ABSTON ​ ​ ​

Sex: M DOB: 11/27/1983 Height: 6'00" Weight: 175 Hair Color: Black Hair Length: Short Eye Color: Brown Complexion: Dark

Inmate Information
Booking #:	22112839	Race:	Black
Permanent ID #:	292718	Ethnicity:	Non-Hispanic or Latino
State ID:		Marital Status:	Single
		Citizen:	UNITED STATES
		Country of Birth:	UNITED STATES

Incarceration Information
Current Housing Section:	4	Current Location:	JMS
Current Housing Block:	H	County:
Current Housing Cell:	02	Commitment Date:	09/04/2022
Current Housing Bed:	L

Alias Information
Last Name	First Name	Middle Name
ABSTON	CLEOTHA
ABSTON	CLEOTHA	DEWAYNE
POOKIE

 

[Megnut]

https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2024-06-17/a-trial-date-has-been-set-for-a-man-charged-in-the-kidnapping-killing-of-a-memphis-school-teacher

"Shelby County Judge Lee Coffee set Cleotha Abston's trial on first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping and other charges for Feb. 10, court records showed. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Abston is convicted of first-degree murder".

 

[mickey2942]

I don't understand how it's so serious that it can be an 80-year sentence, but not serious enough to lock him up immediately after it happened.

Yes. Something is definitely "off" here. At least he will never be out of prison again.

 

[Seattle1]

I don't understand how it's so serious that it can be an 80-year sentence, but not serious enough to lock him up immediately after it happened.

Unfortunately, common sense goes out the window in this era of "bail reform." And common sense follows that past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior! This is not difficult, and no doubt would have saved the life of Liza. MOO

 

[DeDee]

By allegedly kidnapping and killing Eliza, he hurt the community of his peers in Memphis tremendously. I hope he's denied a change of venue.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1803827654292021380

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I don't understand how it's so serious that it can be an 80-year sentence, but not serious enough to lock him up immediately after it happened.

Was this not the case where the woman's rape kit had not yet been tested? I seem to recall there being a massive backlog, like years long, at the lab.
I'm sure it was the case that, had the rape kit been processed at the time of being taken, Cleotha would have been in prison and Eliza would not be dead by his hand, but I could be recalling it wrong, I've not read through the thread in a while so please forgive me if I'm talking nonsense!.

 

[Seattle1]

Was this not the case where the woman's rape kit had not yet been tested? I seem to recall there being a massive backlog, like years long, at the lab.
I'm sure it was the case that, had the rape kit been processed at the time of being taken, Cleotha would have been in prison and Eliza would not be dead by his hand, but I could be recalling it wrong, I've not read through the thread in a while so please forgive me if I'm talking nonsense!.

Not years--Sept 2021.

After being arrested for Fletcher’s murder, Abston was charged with raping Alicia Franklin in September 2021 — about a year before Fletcher was killed. He was not arrested on rape charges before Fletcher's killing because evidence from a sexual assault kit test had not been available at the time, authorities have said.

Shelby County Jury finds Cleotha Abston guilty of 2021 rape and kidnapping

This case involves a rape which prosecutors said happened a year before Abston was accused with kidnapping and killing Memphis school teacher Eliza Fletcher.

www.localmemphis.com

 

[Bounceycat]

University of Memphis assembling new stadium in honor of Eliza Fletcher

The Liza Wellford Fletcher Stadium will serve as the new home for the women's and men’s soccer and track and field teams.

www.localmemphis.com

“The Liza Wellford Fletcher Stadium is a symbol of the dedication, resilience and community that Liza embodied every day. This new facility will give our athletes a place they can truly be proud of, reflecting the hard work and excellence they bring to the game,” head women’s soccer coach Brooks Monaghan said in a press release. “It is long overdue, and it’s exactly what we need to keep Memphis soccer on the map and continue building our legacy.”

 

[Help-find]

Two years ago today. RIP Liza.

 

[sds71]

In a surprising turn of events - Cleotha Henderson - the man charged with kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher….is pleading guilty to charges including the murder of the mother/teacher in Sept 2022.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850913331780985334

 

[mickey2942]

I have no doubt that the "death penalty" on the table was what tipped the edge. And there is absolutely no doubt that it would have been a fast verdict.

 

[sds71]

Judge Lee Coffee told Abston that he will be sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus additional years to be served consecutively with the life sentence.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy read in court a statement from the victim’s family, which was directed at Abston:

“We have no idea what happened to you to turn you into someone so filled with a desire to hurt people. Whatever it was, it does not excuse or explain what you have done. You have changed our lives forever, and nothing will ever be the same. Your actions were evil. There is no other word for it. You murdered Liza, even though she did nothing to deserve it. She did not hurt you. In fact, she would’ve been the first to help if you needed it.”

https://wreg.com/news/eliza-fletcher/cleotha-abston-pleads-guilty-in-eliza-fletcher-murder/

 

[Seattle1]

In a surprising turn of events - Cleotha Henderson - the man charged with kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher….is pleading guilty to charges including the murder of the mother/teacher in Sept 2022.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850913331780985334

Good riddance. He should have never been released to re-offend. Eliza's family, her children especially, have the true life sentences. And Henderson is back on easy block where all his needs will be met -- right down to his burial. MOO

 

[LittleSeaTree]

Good riddance. He should have never been released to re-offend. Eliza's family, her children especially, have the true life sentences. And Henderson is back on easy block where all his needs will be met -- right down to his burial. MOO

Well said, your last sentence gave me chills.