Man charged in murder-for-hire plot to kill pregnant girlfriend

Authorities say Cornelius Green hired his friend Phillip Cutler to kill his pregnant girlfriend Jocelyn Peters in St. Louis

Mar. 15, 2026 at 3:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jocelyn Peters, a beloved third-grade teacher in St. Louis, Missouri, was shot to death in her sleep. The investigation revealed a complex murder-for-hire plot involving Jocelyn's boyfriend Cornelius Green and his friend Phillip Cutler. Authorities say Green stole money from his school to pay Cutler to kill Jocelyn, who was seven months pregnant with Green's child. Both men were eventually arrested and convicted of the murders.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence, greed, and the lengths some will go to avoid responsibility. It also raises questions about school safety and oversight when principals abuse their positions of trust.

The details

Investigators discovered that Cornelius Green had searched online for ways to terminate a pregnancy and had purchased the same caliber gun used to kill Jocelyn. Green also stole $2,700 from a school dance team fundraiser and used that money to pay Cutler to carry out the murder. Security footage and cell phone data placed Cutler at the scene of the crime, and the two men were eventually arrested and convicted in federal court.

  • On March 20, 2016, Jocelyn and Cornelius went grocery shopping and bought a large bag of potatoes.
  • Jocelyn was murdered between 3 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. on March 24, 2016.
  • Cornelius returned to St. Louis around 3 p.m. on March 24, 2016 and called 911 to report finding Jocelyn's body.
  • Phillip Cutler was arrested in June 2016 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
  • Cornelius Green was arrested in August 2016 for theft and later in October 2016 for the murders.

The players

Jocelyn Peters

A 30-year-old third-grade teacher in St. Louis who was seven months pregnant with her boyfriend Cornelius Green's child when she was murdered.

Cornelius Green

Jocelyn's boyfriend, the father of her unborn child, and the principal of a middle school who stole money from a school fundraiser to pay his friend Phillip Cutler to kill Jocelyn.

Phillip Cutler

Cornelius Green's friend from Oklahoma who was hired to carry out the murder of Jocelyn Peters in exchange for $2,500 that Green stole from his school.

Lacey Peters

Jocelyn's mother who was devastated to learn of her daughter's murder.

Nicole Conaway

The former principal at Mann Elementary school who had hired Jocelyn as a third-grade teacher based on a recommendation from Cornelius Green.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To hear that … somebody I knew, especially a fellow principal could take advantage of children like that, it's disgusting. … That's absolutely disgusting.”

— Nicole Conaway, former principal (CBS News)

“Part of me wants to know why? Like just why? … He's a monster. And he's the worst kind of monster because he presents to be something else.”

— Tierrus Tucker, Jocelyn's friend (CBS News)

“I know Jocelyn is living everlasting life … Her and Micah are growing together and they're with other loved ones. God had a bigger plan. So maybe she was called on to teach the other angels, to educate, to inspire.”

— Dedra Peters, Jocelyn's aunt (CBS News)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Phillip Cutler to be released on bail pending his sentencing.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the dangers of domestic violence, the abuse of power, and the lengths some will go to avoid responsibility. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of oversight and accountability, especially in positions of trust like school leadership.