Tennessee man jailed for life without parole in murder of kindergarten teacher Eliza Fletcher

A man accused of the 2022 killing of a Memphis kindergarten teacher has been sentenced to life in prison without parole, after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

A man accused of the 2022 killing of a Memphis kindergarten teacher has been sentenced to life in prison without parole, after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. The man, Cleotha Abston, 40, was expected to go on trial starting February 10 next year, but gave up his right to appeal Monday, according to a statement released by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, bringing a complete end to the more than two-year case. “Today’s agreement achieves finality for the family,” Mulroy said, in the statement. “It also helps the community, because this dangerous person will never again walk our streets. He will die in prison,” he added. Eliza Fletcher, a mother and kindergarten teacher at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, vanished during an early morning run on September 2, 2022. When she didn’t return home, her husband called the police. According to surveillance footage obtained by CNN, Fletcher was chased by a man later identified as Abston near the University of Memphis at approximately 4 a.m. She was then forced into the passenger seat of a black SUV. Details outlined in an affidavit noted that the SUV remained parked for four minutes before it was driven away.