Found Deceased TN - Eliza "Liza" Fletcher Abducted While Jogging Near University of Memphis #3

[ACG2x]

I guess I was imagining a different vehicle would transport... more like an ambulance instead of what looks like a minivan.

As morbid as it is, don't need an ambulance in this situation. The victim was clearly deceased so no life-saving measures that would be in an ambulance are necessary.

Also, whenever there is a body found and police are called, it's always an ME van so they can begin the investigative process and determine if the death was accidental, homicide, suicide, etc.

 

[Longtimelerker]

Memphis police just added on their twitter. "Additional charges for 38 yo CA have been added for first degree murder and first degree murder in perpetration of kidnapping." I can added the link or the SS.hoping someone can do that?

 

[Mrs Shibbles]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1567147974462939139

 

[Mrs Shibbles]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1567149144858402821

 

[Longtimelerker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1567147974462939139

I would say it is official now for ID. So terribly heart-wrenching.

 

[Thinker Belle]

So what does everyone think the motive was? I know most will say sexual but could it be a possibility that he knew who she was and it was motivated by money? Sources say his vehicle was in the area 24 minutes before the abduction. Perhaps he didn’t anticipate her fighting back as much as she did and accidentally killed her during those 4 minutes? His previous kidnapping turned into a robbery so it is a possibility though I realize sexual motivation is more likely.

 

[Seattle1]

JB Biunno #HeyJB
@WFLAJB

#BREAKING: Authorities say a body found Monday matches the description of missing jogger Eliza Fletcher, but a positive identification has not been made. http://bit.ly/3Bgm2Hv





6:24 AM · Sep 6, 2022·

 

[YaYa_521]

Rest in peace, Liza. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who love her, most especially her children. May God bless and comfort them as they mourn.

 

[ACG2x]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1567147974462939139

For anyone wondering why this is first degree murder and not capital, it's essentially the same thing - see here. If someone is convicted of first degree murder in Tennessee, one of the punishments available is death.

At some point before his trial, the State will decide if they plan to seek the death penalty because legally that must be put in stone before the trial begins so the jury knows a guilty verdict can mean a death sentence.

Edit to add: The mandatory sentence for first degree murder in Tennessee is life in prison so unless this guy can convince a jury of his peers that he didn't do it - which won't happen - he will not step foot outside of jail the remainder of his life, however long that is.

 

[Yellow Rose]

I believe that Fox News is carrying the hearing live: Eliza Fletcher abduction: Memphis kidnapping suspect Cleotha Abston charged with first-degree murder

 

[Yellow Rose]

 

[riolove77]

If there truly is no hearing anymore this morning, it’s likely they’ve add-booked him on murder charges and therefore are no longer bound by the timeline of arraigning him on the kidnapping charge. His bond on the murder, if he has one, will be much higher and will keep him in until his arraignment on that/those charge(s).

Also- someone mentioned something about prosecutors not needing to decide on capital punishment til right before trial and I want to clarify that’s not true. In California, last I checked, we had 63 days (9 weeks) from arraignment on the charges to provide written notice of intent to seek the death penalty, or else we couldn’t.

 

[bestill]

The hearing is happening this am or has it been cancelled, reading conflicting information?

 

[Yellow Rose]

Slain Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher remembered in obituary as a 'light to all who knew her'

Eliza Fletcher was jogging in the early morning when she was abducted. Memphis police announce they have located and positively identified Eliza Fletcher's body.

www.foxnews.com

It's carried live and has started

 

[Sincerely]

Sports

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heavy.com

What a darling video of Eliza

I watched the video a few minutes ago and was sad but also so happy that her family will have this to treasure.

 

[asyousay]

On a death penalty charge do the family also get a voice in what they want?

 

[Gardenista]

If I'm reading this right, prosecutors only have to give notice of seeking the DP 30 days before trial in TN. In other states they have to notify much sooner so defense can add mitigation specialists to their teams.

(b) Capital Cases.

(1) Timing. When the indictment or presentment charges a capital offense and the district attorney general intends to ask for the death penalty, he or she shall file notice of this intention not less than thirty (30) days before trial. If the notice is untimely, the trial judge shall grant the defendant, on motion, a reasonable continuance of the trial.

Rule 12.3: Notice of Intent to Seek Increased Sentence. | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

IV. ARRAIGNMENT AND PRETRIAL Rule Number Subset: .3 ...

www.tncourts.gov

 

[bestill]

Fox is live: Memphis police identify Eliza Fletcher's body as abduction suspect faces first-degree murder charge

 

[Gardenista]

 

[Yellow Rose]

Judge was talking on the foxnews link and then all of the sudden it went quiet.