MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A three-judge panel denied an appeal from Cleotha Abston following his convictions of raping and kidnapping Alicia Franklin.
A jury found Cleotha Abston guilty of aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for crimes against Alicia Franklin. Abston later pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping of Eliza Fletcher.
A judge sentenced Abston to 80 years in prison for his convictions in the Franklin case. He received a sentence of life without parole for his later plea deal in the Fletcher case…