MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a surprising turn of events, Cleotha Abston, the man charged with kidnapping and killing Eliza Fletcher, pleaded guilty Monday to charges including the murder of the mother and teacher in September 2022.

Judge Lee Coffee told Abston that he will be sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus additional years to be served consecutively with the life sentence.

The state was seeking the death penalty if the case would have gone to trial.

“Well, we looked at the evidence and realized it was going to be an impossible case,” said Juni Ganguli, one of Abston’s defense attorneys.

Abston, who at times has also gone by the last name Henderson, lowered his head when speaking to the judge but showed no reaction after pleading guilty to the kidnapping and murder. He answered “yeah” to most questions.

“That’s just who he is,” said Lauren Palsey, one of Abston’s defense attorneys. “People don’t communicate well, people don’t explain, people don’t talk much, people don’t react the same way everybody else acts.”

District Attorney Steve Mulroy read in court a statement from the victim’s family, which was directed at Abston:

“We have no idea what happened to you to turn you into someone so filled with a desire to hurt people. Whatever it was, it does not excuse or explain what you have done. You have changed our lives forever, and nothing will ever be the same. Your actions were evil. There is no other word for it. You murdered Liza, even though she did nothing to deserve it. She did not hurt you. In fact, she would’ve been the first to help if you needed it.”

► The Eliza Fletcher case: Full coverage

Abston told the judge he did not remember how far he made it in school, but said he could read and write. He told the judge he understood what his guilty plea meant.

The case had been set for trial in February.

Fletcher was jogging along Central Avenue in the early morning hours of Sept. 2, 2022, when she was forced into an SUV. A security camera caught footage of the vehicle and its driver, which led police to Abston.

Fletcher’s body was found near an abandoned home a few miles from where she was abducted.

She had two children.

“We want Liza’s life and the way she lived her life to be a lesson in bringing glory to God,” Mulroy said, reading the statement from Fletcher’s family. “We want memories of Liza and everything about her to help heal our city. That is our hope. Memphis is worth healing.”

In April, Abston also was found guilty in a separate case, the rape of a woman in 2021. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison for those charges.

That sentence will run consecutively with the charges handed down on Monday.

Full statement of Liza Fletcher’s Family:

We miss the bright light of Liza’s life every day. 

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.

No legal resolution and no sentence can diminish the anguish of Liza’s murder. We accept the outcome that her murderer has pled guilty to all charges, will wake up in prison for the rest of his life, and cannot harm anyone else.  

We are very grateful for the determination and professionalism of law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office. We especially want to recognize Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman for his tireless work on Liza’s behalf.  

There are no words to adequately express the totality of Liza’s loss or her life.  We hope that her amazing light continues to remind us of her faith in Christ’s power and His glory.