Tiffany Becker

Bill, you're nodding along.

You agree?

Cornelius had maintained his innocence throughout his eight years in custody.

But the defense faced a big challenge.

Before the U.S.

Attorney's Office decided to take the case, state prosecutors had charged both men with murder and were seeking the death penalty.

On February 28, 2024, eight years after Jocelyn Peters' murder and two weeks before his trial, Greene pleaded guilty to federal charges.

After Green pleaded guilty, the state dismissed its murder case along with the theft charges.

But his co-defendant, Philip Cutler, wanted his day in court.

He faced the same federal charges.

You know, his defense sort of tried to argue that really Philip Cutler was nothing more than a pawn in Cornelius Green's elaborate chess game.

That Cornelius Green is a master manipulator and he's the victim.

You don't think he was manipulated by Cornelius into this?

Investigator Mark Biondalino was in the courtroom.

There were no cameras permitted at trial.

What was his demeanor like at the trial?

Cutler took the stand in his own defense, and he told the jury what he claims was written on those notepad pages he swallowed.

The jury didn't seem to buy Cutler's testimony.

Their verdict, guilty.

Philip Cutler and Cornelius Green were sentenced to two consecutive life terms for the murders of Jocelyn Peters and the baby she was expecting, Micah Lee.