A Florida jury has found Mario Fernandez Saldana guilty of murdering Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan in 2022. The verdict was reached over the course of a trial in Jacksonville Beach, where detailed accounts of the crime were presented.
Investigators uncovered that Bridegan, age 33, was ambushed and shot at close range. This happened in February 2022 after he stopped his car on a dark road. A tire had been strategically placed there, causing Bridegan to exit his vehicle. While this tragedy unfolded, Bridegan’s 2-year-old daughter was in the back seat. Thankfully, she was unharmed.
Prosecutors attributed the murder to a custody battle and alleged a setup involving Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and Fernandez Saldana, to whom she is married. Prosecutors claim they hired Henry Tenon to kill Bridegan. Although Tenon initially admitted guilt, he later withdrew his plea.
Mario Fernandez Saldana was taken into custody in March 2023, and Shanna Gardner was arrested the following August. Both have been charged with first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. The judge decided their trials would be held separately.
This outcome marks a significant development in a case involving deep family conflicts, ultimately leading to a tragic crime. Updates related to subsequent trials are anticipated as the legal proceedings continue.
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