Jocelyn Peters and the Notebook | Full Episode
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Jocelyn Peters, a 30-year-old pregnant teacher, was murdered in her St. Louis apartment on March 24, 2016.
- ❖Her boyfriend, Cornelius Green, discovered her body and immediately provided an alibi, citing his Amtrak arrival time.
- ❖Philip Cutler, Green's childhood friend, was seen chewing and swallowing pages from a notebook during his initial police interview.
- ❖Potato fragments found at the crime scene were theorized by investigators to be a makeshift gun silencer.
- ❖Green's internet search history revealed attempts to find ways to terminate a pregnancy.
- ❖Text messages between Green and Cutler discussed a 'package' and a UPS shipment from Green to Cutler containing $2,500, which was stolen from a school dance team.
- ❖Cutler's Google location history placed his phone directly in Peters' apartment at the time of the murder.
- ❖Both Cornelius Green and Philip Cutler were convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murders of Jocelyn Peters and her unborn child.
Insights
1Makeshift Silencer Theory from Potato Fragments
Investigators discovered potato fragments splattered around the victim's headboard and pillow. They theorized these fragments were from a potato used as a makeshift suppression silencer on the firearm, explaining why no gunshots were reported in the area.
Organic material splattered in the headboard, around the pillow, and on the floor identified as potato fragments (, ). No calls for service regarding gunshots were made around the time of the murder (). A bag of potatoes was found on the dining room table, despite potatoes not being on the victim's careful pregnancy diet (, ).
2Accomplice's Suspicious Destruction of Evidence
During his initial interview, Philip Cutler, who had driven Cornelius Green, was observed tearing out and chewing pages from a notebook after hearing the word 'homicide.' This indicated an immediate attempt to destroy incriminating information.
After hearing 'homicide,' Cutler stood up, sighed, retrieved a notebook, tore out pages, and immediately put them into his mouth and began chewing them (, ). Cutler later claimed these pages contained a weed dealer's name and number ().
3Digital Forensics Uncover Murder-for-Hire Plot
Examination of phone records revealed text messages between Green and Cutler discussing a 'package' and a specific travel date. UPS records confirmed Green sent an overnight package to Cutler containing $2,500, which was later linked to funds stolen from a school dance team where Green was principal. Cutler's Google location data definitively placed his phone inside Jocelyn Peters' apartment at the time of the murder.
Text messages: 'When you coming here? When do you want me to come there? Week of March 20th. Okay, that'll work. You going to be sending the package?' (, ). UPS package mailed from Green to Cutler, several ounces, $48 overnight shipping, signed for by Cutler (, ). Cutler admitted receiving $2,500 in currency (). Stolen funds totaling $2,700 from Carlane Middle School dance team, where Green had access (). Google location history showed Cutler's phone pinging directly in Peters' apartment between and a.m. on the day of the murder ().
4Motive: Avoiding Financial Obligation and Pregnancy Termination Attempts
Cornelius Green's internet search history revealed attempts to find methods to terminate a pregnancy, indicating his desire to avoid the financial and personal responsibilities of fatherhood with Jocelyn Peters, who was seven months pregnant.
Green's internet searches included 'how to obtain medications,' 'how to conceal that within oatmeal or yogurt or juice,' and 'how to make your own capsules' to terminate a pregnancy (). Assistant US Attorney Tiffany Becker believed Green 'wanted to not be involved with Joselyn anymore and didn't want a financial obligation that Michael Lee represented to him' ().
Lessons
- Prioritize digital forensics in criminal investigations, as phone data, text messages, and location history can provide irrefutable 'electronic eyewitness' evidence.
- Train investigators to recognize and interpret unusual suspect behavior, such as attempts to destroy evidence (e.g., chewing a notebook), as early indicators of guilt.
- Investigate seemingly minor or unusual crime scene details, like unexpected objects (e.g., potatoes), as they may reveal critical aspects of the crime, such as the use of makeshift weapons or tools.
Quotes
"We believe the potato was used as a makeshift suppression silencer to silence the sound of the firearm being fired."
"When you coming here? When do you want me to come there? Week of March 20th. Okay, that'll work. You going to be sending the package?"
"The Google location history showed he was actually on that street. And at some point during that evening between the 2:59 and 3:48 a.m., there was a ping that shows directly in that apartment. Than we believe at that time in Josyn Peter's apartment."
"We're fairly conclusive that this money taken from the stance team is the same cash that was mailed to Philip Cutler to murder Joselyn Peters. He's stealing from his school. To give money to a hitman to kill his girlfriend. Correct."
"Through his searches, he's looking at how to obtain medications, how to conceal that within oatmeal or yogurt or juice, how to make your own capsules."
Q&A
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