Cornelius Green thought he had everything planned when it came to the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Jocelyn Peters. From his alibi to the weapon used, and even the person he trusted to carry out the killing, Green believed he had covered every detail. However, one small mistake soon revealed the truth and led to justice for Jocelyn and her unborn baby.
What Happened to Jocelyn Peters?
In the spring of 2016, Jocelyn Peters, a beloved third-grade teacher, was months away from becoming a mother. She and Green, a principal at a local middle school, had met years earlier while working at a school in St. Louis. They were in a relationship, and Jocelyn was excited about the baby she was expecting.
On March 24, 2016, Green returned from a trip to Chicago and found Jocelyn dead in her bed. He called 911 and said, “It looks like my girlfriend’s been shot in the head.” Jocelyn, who was seven months pregnant, had been shot in the back of her head while she slept, with the bullet exiting through her eye. Police later discovered remnants of a potato used as a silencer in the crime scene.
Green’s Suspicious Behavior
Green claimed he was in Chicago at the time of the murder, and his story seemed to match with surveillance footage showing he arrived at the train station at 2:59 p.m. He said he went to check on Jocelyn after not being able to reach her.
While Green seemed upset, police began to suspect him due to his unusual behavior during questioning. Green refused to let officers search his car, which made them even more suspicious.
Green’s Secrets Unfold
As police investigated, they learned that Green was also still married to another woman, Stephanie Green, and had been hiding his relationship with Jocelyn and their pregnancy. They also found out that Green had been involved with other women and had kept this hidden from his wife.
In a shocking revelation, Phillip Cutler, Green’s best friend, came under suspicion. Cutler had been in town during the murder, and his actions and behavior raised red flags. When left alone in the interrogation room, Cutler tore a piece of paper and ate it, which police believed was connected to the crime.
Digital Evidence and the Murder Plot
Police found crucial digital evidence linking Green and Cutler to the murder. Phone records and text messages showed that Green had searched for ways to disguise the effects of an abortion pill before eventually deciding to kill Jocelyn when she wouldn’t have an abortion. In the days before her death, Green bought a bag of potatoes, which were later used as a silencer for the murder weapon.
Investigators also found that Cutler had been near Jocelyn’s apartment at the time of the murder. Text messages between Green and Cutler discussed plans for the murder, with Green sending money for the hit.
The $2,700 Payment for the Murder
In a final twist, it was discovered that $2,700 had been stolen from Green’s school just weeks before the murder. This amount was believed to have been sent as payment for the murder.
Arrest and Sentencing
Both Green and Cutler were arrested in June 2016. Green pleaded guilty in 2024 to conspiracy and murder-for-hire charges and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cutler was also found guilty in a federal trial and sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Jocelyn’s family, especially her mother, Lacey Peters, was relieved to finally see justice, but the pain of losing her daughter and granddaughter never went away.
