Cleotha Abston, a Tennessee man accused of kidnapping and killing a Memphis teacher in 2022, was found guilty of kidnapping and raping a different woman a year prior. The 40-year-old was convicted by a Memphis jury on three counts of aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon. The crime took place on September 21, 2021, when the woman agreed to meet Abston at his apartment after connecting on a dating website. She reported that he held her at gunpoint, covered her face with a T-shirt, and raped her in the backseat of a vehicle.
The victim testified that she complied because she “didn’t want to die.” Abston, who is also charged in the murder of 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher after allegedly kidnapping her during a morning run, was not charged in the 2021 rape case until he was charged in Fletcher’s death due to a delay in processing the first woman’s sexual assault kit. The victim in the 2021 case sued the city of Memphis, alleging that the police department did not investigate her case properly. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge. The Tennessee legislature passed a law requiring the state Bureau of Investigation to issue quarterly reports on sexual assault kit testing times in response to Fletcher’s death.
Prior to Abston’s trial for the 2021 rape, his lawyer filed a motion for a change of venue, requesting that jurors from the Nashville area hear the case instead of jurors from Memphis due to heavy media coverage. The request was denied by Shelby County Judge Lee Coffee. Abston has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and killing Fletcher, who was a kindergarten teacher, wife, mother of two, and an avid runner. A trial date for the murder charges has not yet been set.
The Tennessee man’s violent history of rape, assault, and kidnapping is now being brought to light through his conviction in the 2021 case. The victim’s harrowing experience of being held at gunpoint and raped highlights the brutality of Abston’s actions. The delay in charging him for the 2021 rape due to issues with processing the sexual assault kit raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in handling cases of sexual violence. The passing of a new law requiring improved reporting on sexual assault kit testing times reflects efforts to address such shortcomings.
Abston’s pending trial for the murder of Eliza Fletcher, a beloved teacher and mother, adds another layer to his criminal history. The tragedy of Fletcher’s death at the hands of a man with a record of violence against women underscores the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. As the legal proceedings continue, the community awaits justice for Fletcher and the other victims of Abston’s crimes. The outcome of the trial will have far-reaching implications for addressing issues of sexual violence and ensuring the safety of individuals in Tennessee and beyond.
