Former St. Louis principal Cornelius Green and his accomplice Phillip Cutler were sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murder-for-hire killing of Green's pregnant girlfriend Jocelyn Peters, whom Green paid Cutler $2,500 to kill.

The sentencing concludes a harrowing case revealing Green's elaborate and cold-blooded scheme to eliminate his pregnant girlfriend, driven by a desire to maintain his multiple relationships and financial improvidence. By arranging the murder during a planned trip to establish an alibi, and instructing Cutler on precise, grim tactics, Green's actions underscore a deeply premeditated crime marked by betrayal and deceit. Jocelyn Peters, 31 weeks pregnant and preparing for her baby's arrival, was tragically caught in this fatal plot, leaving her family devastated and amplifying the brutality of the crime.

Jocelyn Peters, a 30-year-old teacher, was seven months pregnant and was last seen alive while preparing baby shower invitations. Her life was brutally cut short in a meticulously planned murder-for-hire orchestrated by Cornelius Green, her boyfriend and principal of a school in St. Louis.

Green, who was married at the time, had led multiple women, including Peters, to believe they were building a future together. As details of the case unfolded, it became clear that Green's motives were steeped in a combination of financial difficulties and a desire to maintain his web of deceit.

Cornelius Green stole $2,500 from school funds to pay Philip Cutler, his longtime friend, to carry out the murder. Initially, Green had planned to poison the unborn baby by crushing pills into Peters' food. When this plan failed, he resorted to more violent measures.

Green provided Cutler with the keys to Peters' apartment and car, and advised him to use a potato as a silencer for the murder weapon. On the day of the murder, Green journeyed to Chicago to create an alibi, showcasing the premeditation behind the crime.

Jocelyn Peters was found dead in her apartment, and the discovery was made even more harrowing by the fact that Green had asked her mother, Lacey Peters, to check on her, fully knowing what she would find. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker noted the unimaginable cruelty in Green's actions, forcing Peters' mother to discover her daughter's lifeless body.

Following the murder, Cutler's actions further underscored the depth of the plot. When detained by authorities, Cutler was caught consuming paper from his pocket, likely an attempt to destroy incriminating evidence. This desperate effort spoke volumes about his awareness of the crime's gravity and his role in it.

The investigation revealed that Green and Cutler coordinated their plans through a series of phone calls. This communication trail was crucial evidence in the case, demonstrating the calculated nature of the conspiracy to commit murder.

Green and Cutler were both indicted on March 9, 2022, charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire. They subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges, leading to their sentencing of two consecutive life terms each.

The ramifications of the crime extended deeply into Jocelyn Peters' family, who were left to grapple with immense grief. Her mother, Lacey Peters, and cousin, Dedra Peters, expressed their sorrow in court, highlighting Jocelyn's previously unwavering trust and love for Green, complicating the family's sense of betrayal and loss.

Rusheena Broadnax, a fellow teacher and friend of Peters, recounted how Jocelyn had once miscarried and terminated another pregnancy at Green's urging, decisions that added layers of emotional trauma to her already complex relationship with Green.

The case against Cornelius Green and Phillip Cutler exemplified the effective coordination of law enforcement and the judicial system in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The sentence ensures they will spend their lives in prison for the callous and premeditated nature of their crime.

In the aftermath, St. Louis Public Schools issued a statement condemning Green's actions and expressing condolences to Peters' family. The community was left to come to terms with the loss of a beloved teacher whose life was tragically ended by the man she trusted.