James Jules Pepe, Valrico, Florida (arrested Sept 2012) [accused of hiring hit man]

My Fox Tampa Bay: Teacher charged in murder-for-hire plot denied bond (Sept 29 2012)

In an effort to keep the Bloomingdale High social studies teacher behind bars, the 11-minute conversation was played loudly through the courts microphone by prosecutors. [James Jules] Pepe was in court early Saturday morning for a bond hearing ... After hearing from the defense and the prosecution Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge Jack Espinosa Jr. denied to grant Pepe's request for bond.​

 

Tampa Bay Times: Told by police that Hillsborough colleague plotted to kill him, Strawberry Crest High teacher wonders: Why me? (Oct 2 2012)

Plant City police said in announcing the arrest that the men had a simmering feud — that [James Jules] Pepe believed [Robert] Meredith was spreading vicious rumors about him. But Meredith's attorney said Monday the truth is more bizarre: that Meredith barely knew Pepe, and hadn't thought about him since last year when Pepe transferred to Bloomingdale High. "He cannot imagine what it is," said Jim Guarnieri, the attorney hired by Meredith last week. Meredith, 49, whom Guarnieri describes as very private, declined an interview. The two met, said Guarnieri, when Strawberry Crest opened in 2009. Their small talk revolved around two things they had in common: They're from New York and like hockey. A few months later, Meredith and a few other teachers were eating lunch when Pepe sat down with them. Pepe then made "some strange, untoward comments," said Guarnieri. He said his client could not be more specific because of the amount of time that had passed. But Meredith and the others decided to keep their distance. "They thought he was weird, and they steered clear of him," said Guarnieri.​

 

WHP TV: Cops: Teacher solicits hit man to kill fellow teacher (Oct 1 2012)

The teachers, James J. Pepe of Brandon and Robert Meredith of Plant City, were once friendly. But while working together at Strawberry Crest High School in Dover, the seething started. Authorities would not say who or what initiated the feud, but said that by last year, Pepe apparently had enough and transferred to Bloomingdale High School in Valrico. Meredith, an economics teacher, stayed at Strawberry Crest.​

 

NBC News: Police: Florida history teacher tried to hire hit man to kill another teacher (Oct 1 2012)

Police say the relationship between [James Jules] Pepe and Robert Meredith, an economics teacher, deteriorated as they worked together at Strawberry Crest High School. Pepe reportedly suspected Meredith was spreading rumors about him, and Pepe eventually transferred to a different school. Meredith stayed at Strawberry Crest. But their feud continued, and police began investigating the case in August after they received a call from a man who told them he was concerned over several recent phone calls with Pepe during which Pepe allegedly tried to hire him to kill Meredith. The caller said he had been a friend of Pepe’s for more than 40 years. But their feud continued, and police began investigating the case in August after they received a call from a man who told them he was concerned over several recent phone calls with Pepe during which Pepe allegedly tried to hire him to kill Meredith. The caller said he had been a friend of Pepe’s for more than 40 years.​

 

L.A. Times: Florida teacher accused of seeking hit man to kill fellow teacher (Oct 1 2012)

The pair of Florida high school social studies teachers were reportedly frenemies, but authorities now say the emphasis continued to shift to the second half of the word -- ending with one instructor seeking to hire a hit man to kill the other. James Pepe, 55, was being held without bail Monday at the Hillsborough County jail on a charge of solicitation of first-degree murder. Pepe was arrested last week outside Bloomingdale High School where he taught history.​

 

Tampa Tribune: Teacher: Being target of colleague's hit man plot baffling (Oct 1 2012)

Bob Meredith doesn't have a clue why another teacher wanted him dead. He and James Pepe both were from New York and were hockey fans. They met during orientation at Strawberry Crest High School when it opened its doors for the first time three years ago. But other than a little bit of small talk during orientation and a couple of other contacts at school, Meredith doesn't recall having many conversations with the man accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill him for $2,000.​

 

Tampa Bay Times: Whatever Happened To: The teacher accused of trying to hire a hit man (Dec 30 2012)

Mark Cox, spokesman for the State Attorney's Office, said a trial date for James Pepe, 55, has not been set. Pepe, a 28-year veteran of the Hillsborough County school system, is charged with solicitation to commit murder and faces up to 30 years in prison.​