Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White on Tuesday sentenced Phillip J. Cutler to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murder of a pregnant St. Louis schoolteacher, Jocelyn Peters, and her unborn child, Micah Leigh.

Judge White described Cutler’s crime as the “most heinous” he had encountered in his career. In March, a jury found Cutler, 46, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, guilty of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and the murder-for-hire of Peters in 2016.

Peters’ boyfriend, Cornelius M. Green, 42, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty on Feb. 28, 2024, to the same charges and admitted hiring Cutler to kill Peters. At the time of her death, Peters was 31 weeks pregnant with Green’s child. Green was principal of Carr Lane Middle School and used stolen school funds to finance the murder.

Green was involved in multiple relationships and separated from his wife when he learned about Peters' pregnancy. According to a government sentencing memo, Green initially researched ways to end the pregnancy secretly but later contacted Cutler when those plans failed.

On March 7, 2016, Green sent Cutler $2,500 cash via UPS. On March 21, Cutler arrived in St. Louis while Green traveled to Chicago to establish an alibi for the murder. He provided Cutler with keys to his Kia Optima and Peters’ apartment.

On March 24, using Green’s car and keys, Cutler entered Peters’ apartment on West Pine Boulevard in St. Louis and shot her in the eye using a potato as a silencer while she was working on baby shower invitations.

Green ensured potatoes were available at Peters' residence by shopping with her before the incident.

At 6:14 a.m., the following morning, Cutler confirmed to Green that both Jocelyn and the baby had been killed. Subsequently, Green bought his return train ticket while Cutler disposed of evidence at North Riverfront Park in St. Louis.

Upon returning to St. Louis later that day, Green retrieved his car from Cutler and went to Peters’ apartment where he called 911 pretending ignorance about their deaths. That night police detained Cutler after he attempted to retrieve the Kia Optima from the crime scene under Green’s instructions.

During detention proceedings for questioning that evening regarding retrieving said vehicle at Mr.Green's directive Mr.Cutlet ingested two pieces paper from notebook carried pocket

Assistant U.S Attorney Tiffany Becker reported that friends family consistently described Ms.Peters “magic.” Mother aunt spoke court impact loss family Dr.Nicole Conaway principal Mann Elementary School taught called natural teacher bright light wherever started each school day full joy breaking news students left them inconsolable days following tragedy One student threatened jump balcony stairwell saying hated life wanted be with Ms.Peters

Green is scheduled sentencing June 25 As part plea agreement SLMPD dismissed case against federal life sentence

The St.Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) FBI investigated case prosecuted cooperation SLMPD Assistant U.S Attorneys Tiffany Becker Zachary Bluestone prosecuting Former SLMPD Detective Mark Biondolino case agent

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