A Tennessee man accused of kidnapping and killing a Memphis teacher in 2022 has been found guilty of kidnapping and raping a different woman a year prior. Cleotha Abston, 40, was convicted by a Memphis jury on three counts of aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The crime occurred on Sept. 21, 2021, when the woman agreed to meet Abston at his apartment after connecting on a dating website. She reported that he held her at gunpoint, covered her face with a T-shirt, and raped her in the backseat of a vehicle.
The victim testified that she complied out of fear for her life. Abston, also charged in the murder of 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher, was not charged in the 2021 rape case until later due to a delay in processing the sexual assault kit.
The victim in the 2021 case sued the city of Memphis, alleging improper investigation by the police department, but the lawsuit was dismissed. The Tennessee legislature passed a law requiring quarterly reports on sexual assault kit testing times after Fletcher's death.
Prior to Abston's trial for the 2021 rape, his lawyer requested a change of venue due to media coverage concerns, which was denied by the judge. Abston has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and killing Fletcher, a kindergarten teacher and mother of two. A trial date is pending.
