ST. LOUIS – In a stunning ruling, U.S. District Judge Ronnie L. White sentenced Phillip J. Cutler, 46, to two consecutive life terms for the premeditated murder of pregnant St. Louis schoolteacher Jocelyn Peters and her unborn child, Micah Leigh.
“This crime is one of the most heinous I have seen in my career,” Judge White declared, emphasizing Cutler’s role in the brutal act.
Cutler was found guilty by a jury in March 2024 on charges of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and the murder of Peters, who was 31 weeks pregnant. The victim’s boyfriend, Cornelius M. Green, 42, pleaded guilty earlier this year after admitting to hiring Cutler, his childhood friend, to carry out the assassination.
Green, principal of Carr Lane Middle School at the time, funded the crime with cash stolen from the school. He plotted to end the pregnancy secretly but ultimately turned to Cutler when his plan failed. The murder was meticulously planned over a series of phone calls.
The tragedy unfolded on March 24, 2016, when Cutler entered Peters’ apartment and shot her in the eye with a potato as a silencer. Peters, who was working on baby shower invitations at the time, was killed execution-style.
Following the murder, Green returned to St. Louis from Chicago, where he had established an alibi by taking a train trip. He reported his girlfriend’s death to authorities, claiming ignorance of the circumstances, while Cutler disposed of evidence at North Riverfront Park in St. Louis.
Jocelyn Peters was remembered as a ‘magic’ presence in her school community, with friends and family describing her impact on their lives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker highlighted her tragic loss in court, noting the profound effect on those who knew her. Green is scheduled for sentencing on June 25, with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office agreeing to dismiss their case against him if he receives a life sentence in federal prison.
The investigation was led by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Becker and Zachary Bluestone handling the prosecution. Former SLMPD Detective Mark Biondolino served as case agent.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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