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Jared Bridegan’s widow has expressed that the family is in full agreement and supports the recent decision made by the authorities.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the murder of Jared Bridegan, prosecutors have opted not to pursue the death penalty against two individuals implicated in the crime.
The tragic incident, involving the father of four from St. Augustine, occurred on February 16, 2022. Authorities have labeled it a “murder-for-hire plot,” allegedly masterminded by Bridegan’s former spouse, Shanna Gardner, along with her current husband, Mario Fernandez. Both Gardner and Fernandez have entered pleas of not guilty regarding their involvement in the case.
On Friday, legal documents revealed that Florida prosecutors retracted their previous intention, filed on November 3, 2023, to seek the death penalty. The official documentation is available for public viewing.
Kristen Bridegan, Jared’s widow, reiterated that the family’s support for this prosecutorial decision is unanimous and unwavering.
Jared’s widow, Kristen Bridegan, says that the decision to withdraw is something that the family “unanimously support and stand behind.”
Both Fernandez and Gardner’s next pre-trial hearings are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8, while their trial is set to begin on Aug. 3, 2026.