Examine the crucial figures involved in the murder-for-hire case, including the accused and potential witnesses.
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — The trial is approaching for three suspects implicated in the death of Jared Bridegan, a father of four from St. Augustine.
On February 16, 2022, Bridegan was tragically shot and killed while attempting to remove a tire from a road in Jacksonville Beach. His untimely death sparked outrage along the First Coast as prosecutors suggest it was a targeted killing orchestrated by his ex-wife alongside her estranged husband.
Take a closer look at the significant personalities in this case, including the defendants and possible witnesses expected to testify.
Jared Bridegan
Jared Bridegan, a St. Augustine resident and Microsoft executive, was fatally shot in Jacksonville Beach in February 2022 just after leaving the residence of Shanna Gardner, his former wife.
The shooting happened after Bridegan pulled over to move a tire out the middle of a road. At the time of the shooting, he was with his 2-year-old daughter, Bexley.
The defendants
Shanna Gardner is the ex-wife of Jared Bridegan. She faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.
Mario Fernandez-Saldana is the now-estranged husband of Shanna Gardner. He faces charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony.
Henry Tenon is the accused hitman who prosecutors allege was hired by Gardner and Fernandez-Saldana to kill Bridegan. He is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, conspiracy to commit murder and accessory after the fact.
The prosecution
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Christina Stifler and Alan Mizrahi of the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Mizrahi handles court proceedings and pre-trial evidence hearings.
Defense attorneys
- Jose Baez – Private Attorney
- Patrick Korody – Private Attorney
- Kirsten Nelson – Private Attorney
- Michelle Medina – Private Attorney
- James Hill – Private Attorney
- Shannon Day – Private Attorney
- Frank Tassone – Private Attorney
- Jesse Dreicer – Private Attorney
- Julie Schlax – Private Attorney
Key witnesses
Key witnesses who are expected to be called to testify during the three defendants’ trials include Kirsten Bridegan, Jared Bridegan’s widow, and Jared’s brothers, Adam and Justin Bridegan.