Sen. Blackburn: Eliza Fletcher ‘Would Be Alive’ If Suspect Was Jailed for Prior Rape

(Left) Cleotha Henderson, also known as Cleotha Abston. (Tennessee Department of Corrections); (Right) Eliza Fletcher. Memphis Police Department

Eliza Fletcher, a mother of two and a kindergarten teacher, “would be alive today” if her accused killer had been jailed for a prior rape he allegedly committed, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said on Wednesday.

Fletcher, 34, was jogging near her home on the University of Memphis campus on Sept. 2 during the early morning hours when she was abducted, forced into an SUV, and murdered.