S10:E2: The Senseless Murder of Jocelyn Peters (30) “Double Life"

St. Louis, Missouri — 30‑year‑old Jocelyn Peters, an award‑winning third‑grade teacher, was found murdered in her Central West End apartment on March 24, 2016. At the time, she was seven months pregnant with her first child, whom she planned to name Micah Leigh, and was in the midst of organizing her baby shower. Investigators found no signs of forced entry, suggesting the killer had access to her home. The question remained who would want to harm a pregnant mother‑to‑be?  

The investigation would soon reveal two suspects and a shocking plot no one expected. 

This episode explores the evidence, the motive, and the years‑long fight for justice.  

Listen to Season 10: Episode 2 for the full, chilling details of the case.  

Rest in Peace — Jocelyn Peters and Baby Micah Leigh 🕯️🕊️🙏  

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or text START to 8788. ☎️ Help is Available 24/7/365. You are not alone.  

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Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:00

This podcast contains graphic details which may be disturbing to some listeners, but some of discretion is advised. Thank you guys for tuning in to another episode of Senseless True Crime. I'm Chantel B, and welcome back to the show. Today's case takes us to St. Louis, Missouri, to the heartbreaking murder of a beloved teacher. Jocelyn Peters was an award-winning teacher, but she was also a woman who trusted completely with her heart, and that trust cost her everything. On march twenty fourth, twenty sixteen, Jocelyn was found dead in her St. Louis apartment, and at the time of her murder, she was seven months pregnant with her first child. Her death initially seemed like nothing more than a quiet, early morning tragedy. However, the investigation would soon uncover a sophisticated murder plot, marked by financial greed, betrayal, and a secret life that would shock everyone. What really happened inside that apartment was a different reality unfolding, one that would reveal a hidden relationship, a planned murder conspiracy, and a truth that would take years to fully come to light. The biggest question would remain how did a respected educator become the center of a murder for hire a case? But before we get into the horrific details of the case, we must first honor Jocelyn Peters' life. Jocelyn Dolores Peters was born on January seventh, nineteen eighty six in St. Louis, Missouri. Jocelyn grew up in a close and supportive household with her brothers Antoine and Antonio Graham and her sister Asia Graham. Those who knew her described her as kind, patient, and deeply compassionate. From a young age, Jocelyn developed a strong love for reading. Books were more than just a hobby for her. They were an outlet which became a constant part of her life, shaping both her personality and her future. But as Jocelyn got older, that passion naturally guided her towards a career in education. Jocelyn became a third grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School, where she quickly built a reputation as someone who genuinely cared. Jocelyn was known for her dedication, and parents would often want their children to be in her class because she went the extra mile to ensure that her students had the tools they needed to succeed. One of her most notable efforts was organizing a book drive that would bring in over 2,000 books for the school. Now this was an initiative that reflected both her love for learning and her commitment to her students. Jocelyn's work did not go unnoticed. And in 2014, Jocelyn received an excellence award for outstanding teachers within the St. Louis School District. She was especially proud of this achievement, and this solidified Jocelyn as a top tier educator. But beyond her professional achievements, Jocelyn was deeply valued by those closest to her. Friends and family saw her as someone who was always dependable, warm, kind hearted, and willing to show up when it mattered most. During her time working in the school district, Jocelyn began a relationship with Cornelius Green, and he was the middle school principal. Now the two met through their professional environment, and over time their connection became personal. By late 2016, their relationship had grown physical. Jocelyn became pregnant, and it was not the first time that she had carried Green's child. Her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. The second follow up a different path, marking a turning point in their lives. At just thirty years old, Jocelyn was certain regarding her decision of maintaining her second pregnancy, but she wanted to keep this baby. And seven months into her pregnancy, she had already chosen a name for her unborn son, Micah Lee. Jocelyn was preparing for her baby shower and was looking forward to a future she believed was finally taking shape. One that she was excited and overjoyed to share with her partner, Cornelius Green. She was overjoyed to share this with her family and her friends, and they were all happy for her. Cornelius Green, who was forty-two years old at the time, was already married with children. Now Jocelyn believed that he was going to leave his wife and fully commit to building a new life with her. But that belief did not match reality, nor did it align with his actions. While Jocelyn was planning for a new beginning, the situation around her was far more uncertain than she realized, and far more dangerous than she could ever imagine. And as she moved forward with her pregnancy, with hope and with expectation, she had no idea that the circumstances surrounding her would soon take a far darker turn. On march twenty fourth, twenty sixteen, Jocelyn was inside her apartment. She was seven months pregnant and asleep in her bed. Nearby were items for her upcoming baby shower, with details that she had been carefully planning as she prepared to welcome her son. She had a list of baby items from her gift registry carefully printed out and placed on the kitchen table. Perhaps when she had a moment, she would compare that list to the items that she was hoping to receive at her baby shower. But in the early morning hours someone entered the apartment unexpectedly. There were no signs of forced entry, the door had not been broken down. Nothing in the apartment suggested a struggle. Now this would indicate that the person who came in either had a key or had been allowed access inside that apartment. While Jocelyn was still in bed, the attacker shot her at point blank range in the head, killing her instantly. What investigators would later determine was that the firearm had been altered in an attempt to reduce noise and whoever fired that weapon used a potato as a makeshift silencer. A potato silencer would block and absorb some of the noise that would normally happen when a bullet exits the barrel of a firearm. The intention was clear to carry out this murder without drawing any attention from neighbors or anyone nearby. The noise reduction used by the potato silencer would make the gunshot almost unrecognizable. At the time of the incident, Cornelius Green was not present at the apartment, but according to his account, he returned later from an out of town trip and found Jocelyn lifeless. He quickly called 911, reporting the murder and asking for help. When emergency crews arrived, it was far too late. Thirty-year-old Jocelyn Peters was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation began almost immediately. The detectives worked to process the apartment, documenting evidence and trying to reconstruct what happened in those early morning hours. But as detectives examined the scene, they began speaking with those close to Jocelyn, and their attention quickly shifted towards her lover, Cornelius Green. Now during the initial questioning, Cornelius stated that he had been out of town in Chicago at the time of the murder. Now he presented this as an alibi, suggesting that he was not in St. Louis when the murder occurred. But as investigators continue to gather evidence and review his timeline, they began taking a closer look at Cornelius' alibi. The question on everyone's heart and mind, who would want to gun down a beloved pregnant teacher, killing both her and her unborn child in cold blood. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_10 10:44

Jocelyn was an award-winning educator. Her friend Peter Tucker, why do you think teaching was so important to her? Jocelyn, I think that she felt this sense of urgency to make sure that she was given access to it. There are obviously some sort of curious components to this case, as you all know, the use of potato as a silencer. But I think I just can't help but to keep coming back to Jocelyn. And how much he would love the difference you wanted to make in the St. Louis system school system. I mean, this is the kind of dedicated teacher that we all wish we could encounter at least once in our lives because it was the type of one of the type of teacher that would change the lives of children. And so I think that's what I came to kind of hope with.

SPEAKER_02 11:32

Now, Anne-Marie, let's talk about the kind thing. Something not very commonly found, and that's little fragments in the eater cell. How is that exactly connected to the case?

SPEAKER_10 11:43

Right, well, investigators believe it was used as a silencer, which sounded like something out of a gangster movie to me. It must have worked to some degree because no one in this very small apartment building heard anything. And when we asked the lean investigator exactly how you would use the potato as a silencer, because I thought maybe you would just sort of stick it on the end of the gun, right? But then you have a barrel full of potato. So we said, no, his best guess is that the potato was held at the end of the gun and then fired, the gun was fired through the potato. You can imagine how dangerous that is. Because if you move your hand in any direction, you might hit your hand. And then again, I want to thank you guys too, because your staff and the crew there, they were really helpful uh when it came to us putting this story together. So thank you guys.

SPEAKER_02 12:33

Appreciate it. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_04 12:35

So as the investigation progressed, detectives began analyzing phone records and travel data, as well as location tracking for Cornelius Green, who had claimed that he was out of town in Chicago. But the timeline of his movements did not fully align with his alibi. The more investigators looked into Green, the more his alibi began to fall apart. Surveillance cameras in the area captured a vehicle connected to Green near Jocelyn's apartment at the time of the murder. Now that detail directly contradicted his statement that he was out of town, and this raised immediate concerns regarding whether the alibi had actually been staged inside Jocelyn's apartment. The investigators also recovered unusual evidence. But among the items collected were fragments of a potato. Now this detail supported the theory that the firearm had been altered to reduce sound by using the potato as a silencer. This would point to planning, but also to intent, something that had been carefully thought out. So as detectives continued piecing the evidence together, the attention shifted to another individual, Philip Cutler. The investigators identified him as the person who had actually carried out the murder. But according to these findings, Cornelius had given Philip access to the apartment and even provided him with a vehicle to carry out the murder. Now the timing of the events combined with Cornelius' attempted alibi, suggested careful premeditation and planning. This was not a random murder. This was an organized murder for hire plot. Financial records obtained from Cornelius Green added another layer because authorities discovered that Cornelius had stolen money from the school where he worked. Now that money was later linked to payments connected to the crime, which were funneled to Philip Cutler as payment for the hit. What investigators would uncover was that Cornelius Green stole two thousand five hundred dollars from a school fundraiser to pay for the hit on Jocelyn Peter's life. The investigators began to see a clearer picture, forming one that pointed towards a murder for hire. Within the first forty eight hours after Jocelyn's body was found, both Cornelius Green and Philip Cutler were brought in for questioning. Now Cutler was interviewed in St. Louis where he had been staying. Now the detectives pressed him regarding his whereabouts the day of the murder, but also his connection to Cornelius Green. They questioned him regarding his activities on march twenty fourth. While he appeared cooperative, his responses seemed rehearsed, calculated, and very limited. He did not provide investigators with anything substantial. Prosecutors would later have the dueling task of proving that Cutler was indeed the trigger man. Cornelius Green was also questioned and he maintained his account that he had been out of town in Chicago. Cornelius presented a train ticket receipt that was meant to support his alibi. On the surface, it appeared structured. This appeared exactly what an alibi is meant to do. But investigators were not convinced that Cornelius had nothing to do with Jocelyn's murder. The communication records between him and Philip Cutler showed frequent contact upwards of thirty five calls and text messages exchanged in the days leading up to the murder. And the timing of those interactions raised serious concerns. Prosecutors would later use the communications to establish coordination and premeditation of Jocelyn's murder. Combined with the financial trail, the situation became even more suspicious. But despite these findings, there was not yet enough evidence to formally hold Green or Cutler, and after the initial questioning, both men were released. But the investigation did not slow down, and even during that early stage, one detail stood out. Cornelius had already begun trying to communicate with Cutler while they were both still in custody. Now that attempt would later become a key piece of evidence in understanding just how closely the two were connected. While still under early investigation, Cornelius Green told officers that he needed to use his phone to contact his daughter, but that was not who he was calling. While all of this is captured on police surveillance footage, Cornelius actually contacts his wife with a specific instruction. He asked her to meet Philip Cutler at a gas station and to hand over keys to his vehicle. But it was the same vehicle that had been parked outside Jocelyn's apartment. That same vehicle has now been connected to the murder. By the time Cornelius' wife arrived at the gas station, the investigators had already secured that area, and the vehicle had already been towed and processed as evidence. But Cornelius did not know that yet. By his knowledge, he was still trying to help Philip Cutler move around and leave the area. This was a failed attempt to stay ahead of the investigation. When Philip Cutler had arrived at the gas station and realized that the vehicle was not there, the officers were already watching under surveillance, and it was at that time that he was arrested and detained for questioning. During that interaction, something bizarre happened that immediately raised concern. So as officers informed him that he was being taken into custody for questioning, Philip Cutler reached into his pocket, pulled out two pieces of paper from a notebook, and quickly swallowed those two pages. All of this is caught on surveillance footage. The officers attempted to stop him from swallowing those two pieces of notebook paper, but it was too late. Whatever was written on those pages were gone. The mysteries surrounding Jocelyn's murder hinged on what was written on those notebook pages and why would Cutler get rid of those pages and swallowing them whole. We will never know what was on those pages. Because after that, Cutler refused to speak to police. He invoked his right to remain silent, and he was released shortly after. But that moment didn't go unnoticed. What investigators saw was that his actions was a clear sign that he was trying to destroy evidence. And this was an indication that he knew more than what he was letting on. From that point, the investigation intensified. Detectives continued analyzing phone records, tracking movements and reviewing financial activity of both Greene and Cutler. They spoke with people who knew both Cornelius and Jocelyn, building a clearer picture of the relationship and the events leading up to Jocelyn's murder. Piece by piece, the investigation began to take shape. The evidence pointed to a murder for hire plot coordinated and paid for by Cornelius Green. Cornelius Green was a married man who had a family and a reputation in the community that he was not. Willing to jeopardize. Jocelyn's pregnancy threatened to expose everything. And if she had given birth to his baby, the truth would come out regarding his double life. But according to prosecutors, Cornelius saw both Jocelyn and his unborn child as a problem that he could not allow to happen. What investigators believed was that Green turned to someone that he trusted, Philip Cutler, who was a childhood friend, who was struggling financially. The arrangement, as they saw it, was simple. Money in exchange for carrying out the brutal murder of Jocelyn Peters. The case was eventually presented to the prosecutor's office. And in June of 2016, just three months after Jocelyn Peter was murdered. Philip Cutler was formally charged with two counts of first degree murder, and he was also charged with two counts of armed criminal inaction. Now those two counts of first degree murder would include the murder of Jocelyn Peters and her unborn child, Micah. Philip Cutler pleaded not guilty to those charges. In October of 2016, Cornelius Green was arrested and he faced the exact same charges. Two counts of first degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. But he also faced three additional counts of receiving stolen property, which was tied to the money that investigators believed he had taken from a school fundraiser. Cornelius Green was held on a three million dollar cash-only bond. The court viewed him as a significant risk, and Cornelius was subsequently held behind bars, unable to make up. The evidence suggested planning, coordination, and a clear motive to end Jocelyn Peters' life and to ensure that her baby would never enter this work. Prosecutors were building a case that outlined how a middle school principal had orchestrated the death of his pregnant lover. But despite the growing evidence, the case would not move quickly. One major challenge remained Cornelius' alibi. He had an alibi that he was out of town at the time of the murder. And this was supported by what appeared to be a documented alibi. That detail would become a central point in the legal battle. What followed was a long process. The case would take eight years to come to trial. Years of legal proceedings, years of delays, and trial preparation. And during that time, both men remain behind bars, waiting for the moment they would finally face the full weight of the evidence against them. And the weight of the tragic loss of Jocelyn Peters and Baby Micah. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_03 25:30

Prosecutors say that man, Philip J. Cutler, was asked to kill a pregnant school teacher in St. Louis. They say he was paid just a couple of thousands of dollars to do it. Fox 23's Alex Cash is piecing together these details and joins us live in the newsroom with these wild details.

SPEAKER_00 25:51

The prosecutors say she had even chosen a name for her baby, Michael. And they say that she was working on her baby shower invitations at the time too. 30-year-old Jocelyn Peters. She was shot dead in her apartment in St. Louis in March 2016. Prosecutors say Cutler shot her in the head using a potato as a silencer. They also say that he'd been paid$2,500 to carry out the killing by this man, Cornelius Green. Officials say Cutler and Green were longtime friends. Green was the principal at the middle school in St. Louis, where Jocelyn worked as a teacher. He was married and also the dad of Jocelyn's unborn child. Back in 2016, Jocelyn's mum lace pieces gave us her reaction to Green's murder for higher plan. Oh well, where is that? I walk he was a real nice young man. Admitted to hiring Cutler to kill Jocelyn. He also admitted the money he paid Cutler with was stolen from the school he works at. Live at Colouring News That Matters. I'm Alex Cash, Fox 23 News.

SPEAKER_04 27:00

One of the most difficult parts of the case was the timing. Jocelyn lost her life at a moment when Cornelius Green appeared to be out of town. Supported by what looked like a rock solid alibi. That detail became the central focus of the case. One of Green's defense attorneys would rely heavily on this alibi as the case moved forward. The defense centered their case solely around the fact that Green was out of town at the time of the murder. For eight years this legal process stalled, and during that same time, Jocelyn's family waited for answers. They waited for accountability and justice for Jocelyn. Justice that they believed she deserved. And it was an agonizing eight years for those who knew and loved her, the horrible fate she had suffered that day to remain etched in their minds. But the heartbreak of this case was that Jocelyn never got a chance to see her dreams materialize to becoming a mom. Jocelyn's mother, Lacey Peters, carries that loss every day. The last word she shared with her daughter continues to stay with her. She told her daughter, I love you, and Jocelyn replied, I love you too. That moment became their final conversation. The last time she saw her daughter alive. But inside the courtroom the case was complex. The defense attorneys challenged nearly every piece of evidence presented by the prosecution. They questioned whether the$2,500 truly proved a murder for hire arrangement, or if that money could have been connected to something else. They examined the phone records, they disputed the timeline, and they argued what could be proven beyond reasonable doubt. Through it all, both Cornelius Green and Philip Cutler maintained that they're not a guilty plea. Years passed with motions, hearings, and legal arguments. But as the case developed, the pressure began to shift, and Philip Cutler was the first to change course. But according to court records, he entered into negotiations with prosecutors. The agreement was clear. If Cutler pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Cornelius Green, the death penalty would be taken off the table. But instead, he would serve life in prison without the possibility of parole. He would have to come clean regarding everything that happened leading up to Jocelyn Peters' murder. That meant detailing how the plan was formed, what conversations took place, how much he was paid, and what actually happened inside Jocelyn's apartment. Philip Cutler accepted that deal he pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder, and his testimony became a turning point in the case. Cornelius Green was facing a very difficult dilemma. The same person he had known since childhood had now turned on him and was cooperating with the state. In court, Cutler provided a detailed account of the plan, outlining how the arrangement was made and how it was carried out. What had once been built on circumstantial evidence, phone records, and financial trails was now supported by direct testimony, and that shifted the case in a way that would be difficult to counter. So as the case moved closer to trial, the prosecutors presented Cornelius Green with a deal. The offer was simple to plead guilty. With him pleading guilty, he would accept full responsibility for the murder of Jocelyn Peters and their unborn baby, and he would provide a complete account of what happened in exchange for life in prison without a role. Now this would take the death penalty off the table. This was a decision that would determine the rest of his life. But for a long time, Cornelius Green refused to take the deal. Now his defense team continued to challenge the case, filing motions and questioning the evidence presented in the case. They were preparing to fight the charges ahead on. But as the trial date approached, the pressure began to shift. The evidence against Green had grown stronger over time. Then Philip Cutler, who had cooperated with the state and would testify against Green, his testimony provided a detailed explanation of how the plan was created, how it was carried out, and the role Cornelius Green played in the murder plot. What at first started to face with that reality? Cornelius changed his mind. Back in June of 2022, Cornelius stood in court and entered a guilty plea. He admitted to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and the additional charges tied to the stolen$2,500 school funds. On the record, he acknowledged that he had planned Jocelyn's murder and that he had paid Philip Cutler to carry it out. He admitted that Jocelyn's pregnancy had threatened to expose his double life, and that he made the decision to eliminate that risk. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_06 33:28

Jocelyn Peters was shot to death in her apartment in March of 2016. She was 27 weeks pregnant with Cornelius Green's baby at the time. He was the principal at Carlane Middle School, where she was a teacher. And he was married. Green pleaded guilty Wednesday during what's known as a fry hearing. It's the last time federal prosecutors offer a deal before a trial. Veteran criminal defense attorney Joel Schwartz explains.

SPEAKER_01 34:37

So in case the defendant is in fact convicted, he can't come back and say my attorney was ineffective in that he never conveyed this offer.

SPEAKER_06 34:46

Christine Byers, five on your side.

SPEAKER_04 34:54

Sentencing did not happen immediately. A significant amount of time passed before both men were brought back to court for the sentencing. It wasn't until June of 2024, eight years after Jocelyn Peters and her unborn son, Michael Lee, lost their lives that the court delivered its final judgment. For Jocelyn's family, it had been years of waiting, years of carrying loss without justice. Philip Cutler was sentenced first, and on June 18th, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Ronnie White handed down the decision. Philip Cutler received two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. One sentence was for Jocelyn Peters, and the second sentence was for her unborn son. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively. This would ensure that he would never be released from prison. Nine days later, on June 27, 2024, Cornelius Green stood before that same judge, and his sentence mirrored Philip Cutler. He was also given two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The court's decision reflected the heinous role he played in organizing the murder, that they would spend the rest of their lives in prison bringing final justice to a case that had taken eight long years to resolve. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_07 36:46

St. Louis prosecutors say it was a heinous crime that rocked the St. Louis community eight years ago. Today, a former St. Louis principal was sentenced for hiring a man to kill his pregnant girlfriend, who was a St. Louis City teacher. Fox News Kelly Hoskins has more on the fate of Cornelius Green.

SPEAKER_09 37:05

The second thing was found here at the Thomas Eagleton Federal Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. Today, a former middle school principal, Cornelius Green, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

SPEAKER_08 37:15

And the death of his girlfriend and unborn child last week. And then I said to my daughter. She said, I love you, and I said, I love you too. And that was the last time I physically saw my daughter.

SPEAKER_09 37:26

Words can express the heartbreak the family of Jocelyn Peters had endured for eight years as they waited for justice.

SPEAKER_08 37:34

It was just unbelievable. I just kept telling my honest this was like, just pinch me so I can wake up. You know, it was just like a nightmare. It's just something that I wouldn't wouldn't want any parent to go through.

SPEAKER_09 37:49

Judge Ronnie White sentenced 42-year-old Cornelius Green for paying his friend to kill Peters, who was his 30-year-old girlfriend. She was seven months pregnant in 2016 and he didn't want the baby. In February, Green pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder for hire and acting upon murder for hire.

SPEAKER_05 38:07

It's just a heartbreaking case where two defendants plotted to murder a beautiful pregnant school teacher for senseless reasons.

SPEAKER_09 38:20

In March, 46-year-old Philip Coulter was convicted for killing Peters on the same charges. Weeks ago, he was also sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. Police say Peters was shot to death inside her Central Western apartment in March of 2016. Peters was a third-grade teacher at Horseman Elementary in the Tower Grove neighborhood. Detective say Green sent a UPS package to Calter containing a$2,500 retainer for the crime. Green was a principal at Carlay Middle School at the time and used cash stolen from the school to pay for the murder. Peters' family miss her.

SPEAKER_04 39:08

The outcome of the case carried several legal implications. The recognition of two victims. One for Jocelyn and one for her unborn baby, Michael Lee. This reflected how the legal system addressed the loss of both lives in a single planned murder. The nature of the crime elevated its severity. This was not seen as an impulsive act, but one that had been premeditated, funded, and carefully coordinated. Because of that, this qualified as a federal murder for higher case. The involvement of payment and the deliberate arrangement would mean that this case would fall under federal jurisdiction, and it exposed both men to the highest level of penalties. The second key factor was the role of communication and movement across locations. Between Cutler and Green had allowed federal authorities to step in under interstate commerce laws. Now these elements show that the murder extended beyond a single location. The final sentences also reflected the level of planning involved, the maximum punishment that was allowed under federal law. For Jocelyn's family, the sentencing brought a sense of closure, but never relief from the loss. No outcome in court could undo what happened. No amount of time served could bring Jocelyn back or her unborn son. Jocelyn's mother was robbed of the chance to meet her grandson. The absence left behind was permanent. Beyond the courtroom, the case highlights broader concerns, and it reflects the risk faced by pregnant women in situations involving intimate partner conflict. This case shows how personal relationships, when they're combined with secrecy and pressure, can escalate into deadly repercussions. This case also highlights how the desire to protect an image or a double life can lead someone to make decisions that have irreversible consequences. At Horace Mann Elementary School, where Jocelyn Peters once taught, her students and colleagues made sure her memory would never fade. They created yellow days in her honor, with everyone wearing her favorite color as a simple but powerful tribute to her legacy. This became a way for the school community to come together to remember Jocelyn not through the tragedy, but through the impact she had on young lives. The students also took part in building something lasting. They collected plastic lids and bottle cap items that would have otherwise been thrown away, and they turned them into a memorial bench. That bench now sits in the Jocelyn Peters Memorial Garden of Peace outside the school. It stands as a quiet place for reflection, where students, staff, and community members can remember the teacher who gave so much of herself to others, and the child who never had the chance to be born. Those who work alongside Jocelyn made it clear that her legacy is not defined by how her life ended, but her legacy is defined by how she lived, by the students she taught, the encouragement she gave, and the presence she brought into every classroom. She made her students feel seen, loved, capable, and supported. That is how her students choose to remember her. But even years later, four years old. Former students continue to speak about her. They remember Miss Peters as the teacher who believed in them, who showed up consistently, who pushed them to take ownership of their learning, and that impact did not end with her time in the classroom. But it continues to live through the lives she touched. Jocelyn Peters was a thirty year old phenomenal woman and she was an award winning teacher. Many of us who are parents have experienced the joys of bringing a child into this world. But Jocelyn will never know that feeling. Because while she was seven months pregnant, preparing to become a first-time mother, the anticipation of seeing her baby's face that was taken from Jocelyn by a man who was selfish, heinous, diabolical. I don't understand the mindset of someone who is living a double life, taking life from the person you are leading on. I'm not one of those people who judges a woman for her choices and for who she loves. So many people say, well, she shouldn't have been with that man. She shouldn't have got pregnant. Who are we to judge someone else's choices? And here's the thing: we will blame the woman before we put the onus on the man, the married man, the one who is living the double life, the one who's leading on the other woman, the one who did not protect himself if he knew he did not want to have a child with this woman. Can someone please tell me why? The women are always the ones to get blamed for being victimized for their own murders, for their own choices. It's always people pointing the finger at the woman saying, You should have known better, you shouldn't have done this. Why is it the women have to be perfect, but the men can be blameless? Because if Cornelius Green was that concerned about his reputation, he would not have been living a double life in the first place. Women, and especially black women, are blamed for their own murders, and it's sickening. Let me pivot here for a moment. In the last week, there have been multiple black women who have lost their lives to intimate partners, and it's absolutely disgusting. It breaks my heart. Pregnant women are being murdered. Women who are leaving marriages, they're being murdered. Women who are walking away from situations are being murdered. When does it end? When does it stop? One out of every five women will be murdered by an intimate partner. And that is staggering. Jocelyn Peters deserved to be here. She deserved to raise her child with or without Cornelius Green. But this man conspired with another man to kill his pregnant lover while she slept. And then tried to cover it up, create a false alibi. We will never know. What was on those notebook pages? What were they hiding on those pages? This was all orchestrated by someone who I can guarantee you was filling her head up with a bunch of bullshit. Never had no intentions of leaving his wife, none of that. But wanted to cover his dirty ass tracks. My heart aches for these women, and every week it is another black woman being murdered. When does it end? My heart aches for Jocelyn Peters. She was a teacher. She was a woman who gave her time, her patience, her energy to shaping lives that were not her own. And every day she showed up for children, guiding them, protecting them, pouring into them the way someone, somewhere, was supposed to be pouring into her. And at the same time, Jocelyn was carrying life. She was carrying a future who would call her mother. But instead of being protected in the most vulnerable season of her life, she trusted someone who saw her vulnerability as an opportunity. Something to manipulate and something to silence. And that's the part that sits heavy. Because this wasn't random. This wasn't by chance. This wasn't a stranger in the dark. This was someone she let in, someone she trusted, someone she believed in, someone she thought that was gonna love her, someone who knew exactly who she was, but chose to destroy her anyway. And when you really sit with that, this case isn't just about what this man did, but it's about what she gave, what so many of us give. Our time, our trust, our body, our love all place in the hands of someone who was never equipped to handle it. Someone who was never willing to hold it with care. And now Jocelyn is gone. Her baby is gone. The life that she was carrying, two futures were erased in one single decision. And what's left behind is silence. There's no sentence, there's no apology that will ever be able to feel the loss. I want you to sit with one question, not just about Jocelyn, but about all the women who find themselves in situations like this. What does it cost to keep giving love to someone who has already shown you they are capable of destroying you? Because sometimes the most dangerous place a woman can be, it's in the presence of a man who knows she loves him, but he simply does not care. This wasn't just a loss, this was a senseless silencing. Her story deserves to be remembered for exactly what it is. Not just a tragedy, but a senseless, heinous murder. This should have never happened. My heart goes out to Jocelyn Peters' family and to her unborn child that never got a chance to live life. And my heart bleeds for the recent number of black women who have lost their lives to intimate partner violence. You all will never be forgotten, and I will tell your stories so that your voice will never be blotted out. Jocelyn Peters and Micah Lee, may your sweet and beautiful souls forever rest in peace. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 24-hour confidential service in the United States for survivors, for victims, and for those who are affected by intimate partner violence. You can call 1-800-799-7233 or you can text start 2-88788. If you've ever loved someone who made you question your worth, and if you've ever stayed too long, or if you've ever been made to feel like you were too much or not enough, then this space, this story, this season is for you. I'm starting something new called Unlovable. In every episode, I peel back the truth behind toxic love, manipulation, and the quiet damage that people don't talk about. But I need you to understand something. These stories don't just deserve to be heard. They deserve to reach the people who are still living in it. So if this podcast resonates with you, even a little, I need you to do one thing. Subscribe to the exclusive content. Because when you subscribe, you're not just supporting this podcast. You're helping someone else find their way out. You're helping someone else feel seen. New episodes will begin dropping in May. And trust me, we're just getting started. And for the first time, I will be sharing my personal story. Subscribe now. Thank you guys for tuning in to another episode of Senseless True Crime. We appreciate every listen, every message, and every story you send our way. You can reach the show anytime at senseless true crime at gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at senseless true crime podcasts. And until next time, stay safe, stay informed, and please take care of yourselves.