Man accused of raping and murdering Memphis mother Eliza Fletcher is sentenced to 80 years in prison for raping and kidnapping Alicia Franklin

The Tennessee man charged with raping and killing Memphis mother Eliza Fletcher has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for raping and kidnapping another woman.

In September 2022, Cleotha Abston made national headlines when he was arrested in connection with the kidnap and murder of billionaire heiress Eliza Fletcher. Abston is accused of forcing the mother of two into a black SUV, which is reportedly seen on surveillance video. Fletcher, a 34-year-old kindergarten teacher who was jogging on Central Avenue in Memphis when she was abducted, was found dead days later near a vacant duplex.

In September 2021, Abston allegedly kidnapped and raped another woman at gunpoint.

On Friday, Abston was sentenced to 80 years in prison for the kidnapping and rape of Alicia Franklin.

Abston was sentenced in the Franklin case to 40 years in prison for aggravated rape, 20 years for aggravated kidnapping and 20 years for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He waived his right to a formal sentencing hearing.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee ruled that the sentences would run consecutively.

Judge Coffee said Abston treated Franklin with “extraordinary cruelty.”

The judge told the courtroom, “When this defendant put a gun to her face and neck and told her, ‘BLEEP,’ if you say anything or move, I will kill you.’ That is particularly disturbing.”

Assistant District Attorney Paul Hagerman said in a statement: “We have been committed to justice for Alicia Franklin and Liza Fletcher since the horrific crimes against them. My office requested, and he received, a maximum sentence of 80 years without the possibility of parole.”

“His violent past and these crimes require sentences that will ensure he ever gets out of prison,” Hagerman continued. “This sentence alone ensures that – but we are not at the end yet.”

Reaction to the verdict of Cleotha AbstonYoutube

Abston, 40, was only arrested after Fletcher’s death – a full year later after his heinous crimes against Franklin.

Abston has a history of criminal charges dating back to the 1990s – starting when he was 12 years old. The judge said Abston had been involved in more than 30 offenses during his life.

An autopsy report found that Fletcher died of a gunshot wound to the head and also suffered injuries to his right leg and jaw.

Abston’s trial for the alleged kidnapping and murder of Fletcher is expected to begin on June 17.

Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Abston is convicted of first-degree murder in Fletcher’s death.

Abston has pleaded not guilty.

Woman claims she was attacked by suspect in Eliza Fletcher l GMA casewww.youtube.com

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