Cleotha Henderson, the man accused of killing Eliza Fletcher in Memphis, Tennessee, in September 2022 after allegedly kidnapping her, has pleaded not guilty.
Henderson, 38, also known as Cleotha Abston, was indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and evidence tampering on January 25, according to Commercial Appeal.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges Friday morning.
Fletcher was allegedly kidnapped by Henderson, who was driving a GMC lot at the time, on the morning of September 2, 2022. Police say she was “kidnapped and forced into” the SUV.
ELIZA FLETCHER MURDER: FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAYS POLICE ‘LEFT THE BALL’ INVESTIGATING 2021 RAPE
Eliza Fletcher in an undated photograph; Cleotha Henderson accused of murder in Memphis court
(Liza Fletcher/Instagram; Fox News Digital)
Henderson was arrested by Memphis police on September 3, 2022, and Fletcher’s body was found in the “rear of a vacant duplex apartment” just days later in the area where the suspect was seen allegedly cleaning the car he allegedly used in the incident. .
An affidavit states that two people, including Henderson’s brother Mario, told police officers that they had seen Henderson cleaning the interior of the GMC Terrain with floor cleaner and washing clothes in the sink.
ELIZA FLETCHER MURDER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY RELATED TO 2021 RAPE, POLICE FAILED TO REQUEST ‘EXPEDITED’ DNA CHECK
Liza Fletcher, a 34-year-old teacher and mother of two who died while out jogging in the morning last week, will be laid to rest on Saturday.
(Jennifer Sink/Facebook, Memphis Police)
A Memphis Police Department public information officer also told Fox News Digital that his criminal investigation unit received a sexual assault report on September 21, 2021, and a sexual assault kit was sent to the Bureau of Investigation. of Tennessee on September 23, 2021.
However, the public information officer said Henderson’s DNA was not received until after Fletcher’s alleged kidnapping and murder on September 2, giving police probable cause to make an arrest.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Tire tracks approaching the house where the body is found The house where Eliza Fletcher’s body was found
(Michael Ruiz for Fox News Digital)
According to the report, Henderson is due back in court on March 30.
