The upcoming trial of Cleotha Henderson, accused of rape and later the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher, is stirring up considerable tension as legal proceedings advance. In a recent court appearance, Henderson's attorneys fiercely contested the admissibility of evidence gleaned from Fletcher's murder investigation in the separate rape case of Alicia Franklin. The argument hinged on the presentation of a firearm, which prosecutors insist matches the description of the weapon used in the alleged rape.
Despite efforts by the defense to shield Henderson from the weight of evidence transferred from one case to another, "We got this trial coming up in two weeks so we want to be real careful," Deputy District Attorney Paul Hagerman said, pointed to the necessity of a strict legal process, according to Action News 5. The judge ultimately sided with the prosecution concerning the Franklin case, setting the stage for a trial that has captured public and media attention amid concerns of pretrial prejudice.
Henderson's defense also waged a battle on the front of public opinion, contending that an unbiased Shelby County jury could not be summoned due to extensive media coverage and consequential bias. Attorney Juni S. Ganguli pushed for a change of venue, arguing potential jurors have been tainted by the high-profile nature of Fletcher's case. Ganguli cited comments suggesting that his client deserved the death penalty, flagging such sentiments as evidence of an impartial jury pool being a remote possibility in the region. This motion was denied, keeping the trial in Shelby County, as reported by Local Memphis.
Further complicating matters, a judge overruled a final attempt by Henderson's lawyer to discard the contentious evidence, ushering in a conclusive green light for prosecutors to proceed with their case. Henderson now faces the challenge of a trial clouded by the shadow of Fletcher's death, which promises to weigh heavily on the proceedings. About the denial of this last-ditch motion, FOX13 Memphis detailed that the trial for the rape case is slated for April 9, with jury selection beginning on April 8.
