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Memphis, Tennessee – Cleotha Abston-Henderson, 38, of Memphis, Tennessee, the man accused of kidnapping and murdering Eliza Fletcher, a teacher and mother of two, is serving a 20-year prison term for kidnapping another victim. I was only 16 when I started. muzzle.
Abston’s criminal career began when he was even younger, and he was charged with charges including aggravated assault and rape. He told investigators that he dropped out of school after the ninth grade, but found no evidence that he attended a designated high school, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Officials told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that a juvenile court found it true that Abston, also known as “Pookie,” committed the misdemeanor act of rape against an unnamed suspect when he was 14. I have confirmed that it is.
John Kelly, a criminal profiler and psychotherapist who has interviewed multiple serial killers, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday: “When they get out, they go back to hunt.”
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At the age of 16, Abston kidnapped the late Memphis attorney Kemper Durand at gunpoint, placed him in the trunk of his car, drove him to various ATMs and demanded he withdraw cash, court documents show. increase. Abston pleaded guilty in the case and served approximately 20 of his 24-year sentence.
“I know that [Abston’s] Records date back to 1995, when he was about 13 years old, and show juvenile court cases in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 each year. It is clear that he learned no lesson from his encounter with the law. “
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Durand told the court that he had no physical injuries but had recurring bad dreams about the kidnapping and accused Abston of showing no remorse.
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“It took about 15 months, from June 2000 to September 2000, for Cleosa Abston to plead guilty to a crime she confessed to on May 29, 2000,” Durand writes. I refused the plea bargain because I ‘didn’t want to sign it all the time’.”
Durand died in 2013, according to an online obituary.
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Abston’s list of reinforcing factors in Durand’s kidnapping included his previous violent history, the fact that he was a mastermind in a crime involving multiple suspects, and references to handwritten rape cases. was
Abston separately told investigators “he had a good relationship with his family, but his childhood was rough,” the documents say. He served about 20 years of his sentence and was released two years ago.
Early Friday morning, he was in hiding near the University of Memphis campus, 24 minutes before Fletcher brought her to the area on his morning jog, according to a new affidavit.
A healthy 34-year-old Fletcher, about 5 feet tall, 6 inches tall and weighing 137 pounds, was jogging in the area. Abston, who stood 6 feet tall and weighed 175 pounds, was said to have swooped in.
“Investigators located surveillance cameras near 3876 Central Avenue showing black GMC terrain passing and waiting for victims to pass,” the affidavit alleges. “The male exited the black GMC terrain and ran aggressively towards the victim, then scrambled.[d] They put the victim, Eliza Fletcher, on the passenger side of the car. “
According to the affidavit, there was a “struggle” and “the vehicle sat in the parking lot with the victim inside for about four minutes before driving away.”
Police said they found Abston’s DNA in shoes recovered from the scene and arrested him over the weekend. They recovered Fletcher’s body on Monday behind an empty house on Victor Street.
In a statement, Fletcher’s family believe they will find justice in court.
“We are devastated and devastated by this senseless loss,” the family said through a spokesperson. And it was a great joy for everyone who knew her.”
“Now is the time to remember and celebrate how special she was and to support those who cared for her. We are grateful for all the expressions of love and concern we have received. Liza We thank federal law enforcement for their tireless efforts to find out and bring justice to those responsible for this horrific crime.”
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Abston is held in a $510,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning. His brother, Mario Abston, is also being held at the Shelby County Jail in Memphis on separate charges.
Given the defendant’s past, it’s possible he planned the evening to prevent witnesses from testifying against him, even if it was a random attack, according to crime profiler Kelly. There is, he said, not uncommon among repeat sex offenders.
“By keeping the victim alive, the victim became a witness and testified against him,” he said. “And he [prison] time. “
In many cases, they will reoffend after being released and may become more violent.
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“Because it’s really straightforward. And I’ve seen this with a lot of people in their history. ‘No witnesses? There’s always a chance.'”