Eliza Fletcher Murder Case: Suspect Sentenced to Life in Prison

As a fervent admirer who has followed this heart-wrenching story from its tragic beginning, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of relief and justice served with the recent sentencing of Cleotha Abston. The life of Eliza Fletcher, a beacon of light in her community, was senselessly snuffed out in an act of unspeakable violence.

New details have come to light in the death of Eliza Fletcher.

The individual charged with abducting and murdering a Memphis kindergarten teacher in 2022, identified as Cleotha Abston, has been given a life sentence without the chance of parole following his guilty plea to various charges such as first-degree murder and kidnapping. This decision was confirmed on October 28th by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy expressed in a statement that we should honor and commemorate the life of Liza Fletcher, who was a cherished daughter, spouse, parent, and educator, who suffered an unfortunate and senseless act of violent predation, leading to her tragic death. Today’s agreement brings closure for the family, as the defendant relinquishes his ability to appeal, eliminating prolonged years and decades of appeals.

He also pointed out that it benefits the community since this potentially harmful individual will no longer be able to roam our streets. Instead, they will spend their days behind bars.

TopMob News has reached out to attorneys for Abston for comment and has not yet heard back.

During the sentencing, Mulroy read a statement addressed to Abston from Fletcher’s family.

…”It’s a mystery as to what events led you to become someone who inflicts pain on others,” he said. “Regardless of the cause, your actions cannot be justified or rationalized. You have irrevocably altered our lives, and nothing will ever return to normal. Your behavior was abominable, there’s no other way to put it.

I declare, “I took Liza’s life, yet she posed no threat or harm to me. If truth be told, she was ready to extend a helping hand should I ever found myself in need.

34-year-old Fletcher here! I was out for an early morning jog near the University of Memphis on September 2nd, and, well, I never made it back home. As per an Affidavit of Complaint from 2022, obtained by NBC News, a cyclist found my cellphone and a pair of sandals on the street, which were later handed over to investigators. They traced the DNA found on those sandals to Abston, and he was apprehended on the same day. The following day, my body was discovered by law enforcement with a gunshot wound to the head, as NBC News reported. Quite a chilling turn of events, don’t you think?

According to the Shelby County Criminal Justice System, Ashton was accused of first-degree murder in connection with a kidnapping, first-degree murder as part of that kidnapping, regular kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, and tampering/forging evidence. He admitted guilt for all these charges.

In my own account, I must admit that this wasn’t just a solitary brush with justice for me. Back in 2000, I served a 20-year sentence for the kidnapping of an attorney in Memphis. More recently, in 2021, I was handed an 80-year sentence following another case involving rape, as confirmed by NBC News.

As the family continues to mourn their loss, they also reflect on the person Fletcher was.

“We miss the bright light of Liza’s life every day,” the family said after the guilty plea in a statement obtained by NBC affiliate WSMV. “Liza meant so much to so many, and her smile radiated happiness, energy, and comfort. Her husband, her children, her parents, her brother, the rest of her family, her friends, her students, her school families, her fellow teachers, her church community, and so many others were moved by countless examples of her faith, kindness, and compassion.”

2024-10-29 18:47

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