Former Missouri school principal Cornelius Green was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for hiring his friend, Phillip Cutler, to kill his pregnant girlfriend, Jocelyn Peters, in 2016. Green, who was married at the time, admitted to using money stolen from the St. Louis middle school where he worked to finance the murder. Cutler was given the same sentence this week for his role in the crime. Authorities said Green and Cutler planned the murder in a series of phone calls, with Green sending Cutler $2,500 in a UPS package to pay for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend.
Green took a train trip to Chicago to establish an alibi for the murder, providing Cutler with the keys to Peters’ apartment where the murder took place. Cutler shot Peters while she was sitting at the kitchen table preparing baby shower invitations, using a potato as a silencer. After confirming the murders, Green bought a return train ticket and attempted to have Peters’ mother discover the bodies, feigning surprise when he called 911 to report the deaths. Prosecutors said that Green lied to police about his involvement and asked Cutler to conceal evidence, but Cutler was detained for questioning after trying to retrieve the Kia Optima from the crime scene at Green’s direction.
Green and Cutler pleaded guilty in February to the murder of Peters and her unborn child. Prosecutors alleged that Green had previously encouraged Peters to terminate a pregnancy and had researched ways to secretly poison her. Speaking at the sentencing hearing, Peters’ family members expressed their devastation over her death, with Peters’ cousin describing her as someone who always had a light around her and touched the hearts of everyone she met. Peters’ mother expressed her disbelief and sorrow over Green’s betrayal, stating that all her daughter ever did was love him and their unborn child.
The shocking crime shook the community, with Dr. Nicole Conaway, the principal of Mann Elementary, expressing horror at the fact that Green had stolen from children to pay for killing his own child. Green’s sentencing to two consecutive life terms means he will have to wait at least 50 years before being considered for parole. Authorities emphasized the heinous nature of the crime, including the fact that Green had manipulated situations to try and cover up his involvement in hiring Cutler to carry out the murder. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker condemned Green’s actions, particularly his attempt to involve Peters’ mother in the aftermath of the murders.
The case highlighted the tragic circumstances of Jocelyn Peters’ death and the betrayal she experienced at the hands of the man who was supposed to protect her. It also shed light on Green’s history of deception and manipulation, including his involvement in multiple romantic relationships while married and his alleged attempts to poison Peters before turning to Cutler to carry out the murder. The impact of Peters’ death on her family was profound, leaving them with a sense of emptiness and heartbreak, especially considering the love and light she brought to those around her. The sentencing of Green and Cutler provided a measure of justice for Peters and her unborn child, while also serving as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and betrayal.
