St. Louis, Missouri – A former middle school principal in St. Louis has pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire in connection with the tragic death of teacher Jocelyn Peters. Cornelius M. Green, once the principal at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School, admitted to orchestrating the murder of Peters, who was pregnant with his child at the time.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Green paid a man named Phillip Cutler $2,500 to carry out the heinous act inside Peters’ Central West End apartment in March 2016. Just weeks before the murder, Green sent a text message to Cutler, initiating the sinister plot that would lead to Peters’ tragic demise.
Cutler, after receiving a package of money from Green, traveled to St. Louis and stayed with Green and his sister in the days leading up to the murder. On the fateful day of March 24, Cutler went to Peters’ apartment and shot her using a potato to stifle the sound of the gunshot. He then informed Green of the horrific deed.
In an attempt to establish an alibi, Green traveled to Chicago right after the murder, leaving behind incriminating evidence such as keys to his car and Peters’ apartment. Upon his return to St. Louis, Green feigned ignorance of the murder by calling 911, trying to cover his tracks.
If sentenced to life in prison on federal charges, Green may avoid facing state charges carrying the possibility of the death penalty. The sentencing is scheduled for June 5, with Cutler’s trial set to commence on March 11 unless a plea agreement is reached.
This disturbing case of betrayal and violence has shocked the community, shedding light on the dark motives and actions of those involved. The senseless loss of Jocelyn Peters serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of greed and betrayal in pursuit of selfish desires.