A Tennessee man accused of raping and murdering Memphis mother Eliza Fletcher has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for raping and kidnapping another woman.
In September 2022, Cleosa Abston made national headlines when she was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of billionaire heiress Eliza Fletcher. Abston is accused of forcing the mother of two into a black SUV, which was caught on surveillance video. Fletcher, a 34-year-old kindergarten teacher, was jogging on Central Avenue in Memphis when she was abducted and her body was found days later near a vacant residential area.
In September 2021, Abston reportedly kidnapped another woman and raped her at gunpoint.
On Friday, Abston was sentenced to 80 years in prison for kidnapping and raping Alicia Franklin.
Abston was sentenced to 40 years in prison for aggravated rape, 20 years in prison for aggravated kidnapping, and 20 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Franklin case. He waived his right to a formal sentencing hearing.
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee Coffee ruled that the sentences would be consecutive.
Judge Coffee said Abston had treated Franklin with “extraordinary cruelty”.
judge Said In court, he said, “This defendant put a gun to my face and neck and said, ‘Beep,’ and if I say anything or move, I’m going to kill him.” This is especially problematic. ”
Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman said: statement“We have worked hard for justice for Alicia Franklin and Liza Fletcher ever since their terrible crimes against them. My office has asked that he be sentenced to a maximum of 80 years in prison without the possibility of parole. I received the verdict.”
“His violent history and these crimes warrant a sentence that will ensure he gets out of prison,” Hagerman continued. “This one sentence guarantees that, but it doesn’t end there.”
Reaction to Cleosa Abston’s verdictyoutube.be
Abston, 40, was not arrested until Fletcher died a full year after committing the heinous crime against Franklin.
Abston has a history of criminal charges dating back to the 1990s, starting when he was 12 years old. The judge said Mr Abston had been involved in more than 30 offenses during his lifetime.
The autopsy report said Fletcher died from a gunshot wound to the head, with injuries to his right leg and jaw.
Abston’s trial on charges of kidnapping and murdering Fletcher is scheduled to begin on June 17th.
Prosecutors have said they will pursue the death penalty if Abston is convicted of first-degree murder in Fletcher’s death.
Abston has pleaded not guilty.
Woman claims she was assaulted by Eliza Fletcher suspect l GMAwww.youtube.com
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