This story first appeared in the Florida Times-Union.

Three months after stunning everybody with the words “false testimony” and being cut off by the judge, Henry Tenon was back in a Duval County courtroom Tuesday.

Tenon, who was moved to the Nassau County jail on Feb. 26, told attorneys in a private meeting after the admission that he denied being threatened, paid or harassed.

Judge London Kite said Tuesday’s status hearing was to make sure there was no need to further address what was said on Jan. 13.

“When we last saw each other, you made a statement in court, I stopped you for you to have an opportunity to talk with your lawyer,” Kite said. “… Have you talked to your lawyer? Is there any need to go any further about his representation, are you satisfied with him?”

Tenon: “No, it’s just that we had a misunderstanding before. We kind of overcame that.”

She emphasized he can talk with her if he has concerns, and she again asked are you satisfied with his legal services.

“Yes, I am,” Tenon replied.

There had been concerns somebody had gotten to Tenon, Jared Bridegan’s confessed killer, or his family. The now 64-year-old expressed hopelessness and said he wasn’t satisfied with his plea deal and questioned whether his attorney Alan Chipperfield had done a good job.

“Tenon was second-guessing his decision to cooperate because he now believed his cooperation would not matter and, despite it, he would nonetheless be sentenced to life,” the prosecutor wrote in their notes after a private meeting with Tenon and Chipperfield after the admission.

At that time, Assistant State Attorney Alan Mizrahi outlined the evidence against him, including DNA on the tire that was blocking the road where Bridegan stopped before being shot, video surveillance showing him at the scene and cell data placing him at relevant locations.

He also explained they waived the 25-year minimum mandatory sentence giving the judge the discretion to grant him mercy. Mizrahi reminded Tenon about how he expressed remorse for the killing, even crying when he spoke about the baby in Bridegan’s car when he opened fire and wished “to do the right thing.”

Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler reiterated that his remorse would be a factor the court would consider at his sentencing, particularly since Bridegan’s family is grateful he “owned up” to what he did.

Tenon then was offered time to speak privately with Chipperfield. When they returned, Tenon said he would stick with them for trial and that his “sworn” statement was “the truth.”

For background, Tenon pleaded guilty on March 16, 2023, to being the triggerman Bridegan’s ambush shooting a year earlier in Jacksonville Beach. He agreed to testify against Mario Fernandez Saldana, who was arrested in Orlando the same day and is accused or orchestrating the hit along with his wife.

Fernandez Saldana is the now-estranged husband of Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Lee Gardner, and also was Tenon’s landlord. Gardner was later arrested in the state of Washington where she moved. She and Fernandez Saldana are charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.

The state is seeking the death penalty against them, while Tenon awaits sentencing for his second-degree murder plea, facing at least 15 years in prison and up to life. His next hearing is scheduled for June 17.