Memphis Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty Against Man Charged With Kidnapping and Killing Teacher

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

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a man charged with kidnapping a Memphis, Tennessee, school teacher during an early-morning run and killing her, a district attorney said Thursday.

Cleotha Abston, 39, is charged with snatching Eliza Fletcher from a street near the University of Memphis on Sept. 2 and forcing her into an SUV. Her body was found days later near a vacant duplex. He has pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping.