Press Release: Guilty Plea in Eliza Fletcher Murder Case
Memphis, TN – Cleotha Abston, 40, has pleaded guilty to the murder of Eliza Fletcher, a well-loved kindergarten teacher and mother of two, who was abducted and killed while jogging in Memphis in September 2022. On Monday, Abston was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole, avoiding a trial and the possibility of the death penalty.
Fletcher, 34, was last seen on September 2, 2022, in the vicinity of the University of Memphis during her usual early-morning run. After several days of searching, her body was discovered seven miles away, near a vacant duplex. Surveillance footage captured the harrowing moment she was forced into a black GMC Terrain SUV, driven by Abston. His arrest followed the discovery of his DNA on sandals found near Fletcher’s damaged phone.
An autopsy later confirmed she died from a gunshot wound to the head. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy expressed the community’s grief, stating, “We acknowledge and celebrate the life of Liza Fletcher… this dangerous person will never again walk our streets.”
During the sentencing, Fletcher’s family delivered a poignant statement to Abston, expressing their anguish and condemning his actions as "evil." They reflected on the profound impact of her murder, noting that Fletcher, a nurturing figure, would have offered help if approached.
Fletcher’s grandfather, Joseph Orgill III, remains a prominent figure in the hardware industry, with his family-owned company seeing revenues of $4 billion in 2023. The case underscores the senseless violence that has shaken the Memphis community and highlights the enduring legacy of a beloved educator and family member.
Source
Photo credit www.nydailynews.com
