Key facts
- Mario Fernandez Saldana is on trial for the first-degree murder of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan.
- Bridegan was ambushed and shot in February 2022 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
- Investigators allege the murder was a murder-for-hire scheme involving Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and her husband, Saldana.
- Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, is also charged with murder and is scheduled for trial in September.
- The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to testify but withdrew his plea.
Mario Fernandez Saldana is set to stand trial in Florida for the first-degree murder of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan, who was fatally shot in February 2022. Investigators allege that Saldana, along with Bridegan's ex-wife Shanna Gardner, orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot. Bridegan was ambushed outside his vehicle in Jacksonville Beach after a tire was placed in the road to stop him, while his 2-year-old child was in the car.
Bridegan and Gardner divorced in 2015 and had a contentious relationship over the custody of their two children. Evidence presented suggests Gardner "hated Mr. Bridegan... and wanted him dead," according to Judge London Kite.
The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, had previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to testify against Saldana and Gardner, but he withdrew his plea and will face his own trial. Authorities claim Tenon was paid at least $10,000 by Gardner and Saldana for the killing. Tenon's DNA was reportedly found on the tire used to block Bridegan's vehicle.
Bridegan was attacked shortly after returning the twins to Gardner's home. He was driving to St. Augustine with one of his children with his current wife, Kirsten Bridegan, at the time of the incident. Bridegan previously worked as chief technology officer at Utah-based Clean Simple Eats before his role at Microsoft.