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Wife held in fatal stabbing

Authorities say Pamela Simon was outside, covered with blood, when they pulled up.

By JONATHAN ABEL
Published June 26, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Pamela Simon is accused of murder in the death of her husband, Robert Penders. [Times photo: Eamonn Kneeshaw] Officials look for evidence outside the couple's condominium unit at 2131 Ridge Road in Largo.

LARGO - Pamela Simon was calm and lucid Saturday night as she told the 911 dispatcher about the domestic disturbance, police said.

Her husband was upstairs and she was downstairs. They had argued and she was worried that he was going to hurt her.

But police said Simon never mentioned that her husband was lying upstairs, bleeding to death from a stab wound to the neck - a wound police say she inflicted.

Eight minutes after the 911 call, a Largo police officer arrived and discovered Simon standing in the front yard of the two-story condominium, covered in blood, according to Largo police Sgt. John Trebino.

Inside, they discovered the body of Robert Penders, 50, a PSTA bus driver whose neighbor said he was a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran.

Police tried to resuscitate him, but failed. He died on the scene.

Monday night, Simon, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, just an hour after she was released from Pinellas County Jail, where she had been held since Sunday morning on charges of obstructing the investigation.

The killing came as a shock to the modest condominium complex at 2131 Ridge Road. Neighbors said they didn't hear anything until just before 9:15 p.m. when police showed up.

Molly Kasun said she looked outside and saw the lanky Simon being restrained by police, her clothes were covered in blood.

"I could hear her saying, 'Please tell me he's still alive!' "

Kasun said the couple had lived together for a few years, but had been friends for much longer. They had no children together. Official records show they were married in 2005.

Kasun said she believed the marriage was platonic and that Penders had married Simon to take care of her.

Penders and Simon had more than their share of arguments, according to Kasun.

"He was a very gentle, easygoing guy, " she said. "He never hit her. She would be the aggressor."

He had worked as a bus driver for the PSTA since 2001, operating on various routes, according to PSTA spokesman Bob Lasher. Supervisors called him "a nice person and a good employee."

Reached Monday, his brother, Joseph Penders of Brevard County, had no comment.

Meanwhile, Robert Penders' green pickup sat in the condominium parking lot, with golf clubs in the cab, a newspaper on the dashboard and a few crumpled bags from McDonald's and Taco Bell up front.

Behind the seat there was an invitation from the AARP, welcoming him to all the benefits of being a senior. But he never had a chance to enjoy them.

Jonathan Abel can be reached at jabel@sptimes.com or 727 445-4157.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 22:26:09]