US News
Florida jury convicts Mario Fernandez Saldana in roadside ambush murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan
Prosecutors argued that Fernandez Saldana plotted the 2022 killing with his wife, who was the victim's ex-wife, amid a bitter custody dispute.
The short version
- A Florida jury has convicted Mario Fernandez Saldana of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder in the February 2022 shooting death of Jared Bridegan.
- Prosecutors argued that Fernandez Saldana and his wife, Shanna Gardner (Bridegan's ex-wife), planned the targeted roadside ambush due to ongoing custody and religious conflicts.
- Gardner is scheduled to go on trial separately in September, while the alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, is set to stand trial next year.
Key facts
- Mario Fernandez Saldana, 38, was convicted on Wednesday of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder following nearly four hours of jury deliberation.[CBS News · Fox News]
- Jared Bridegan, a 33-year-old Microsoft design manager, was fatally shot at close range in Jacksonville Beach after stopping his SUV to remove a tire placed in the road.[CBS News · Fox News]
- Bridegan's two-year-old daughter was in the back seat of the vehicle during the shooting but was not physically harmed.[CBS News · Fox News]
- Prosecutors alleged the murder was a targeted hit arranged by Fernandez Saldana and his wife, Shanna Gardner, who was Bridegan's ex-wife and was involved in a hostile custody battle with him.[CBS News · Fox News]
- The defense argued that Fernandez Saldana had no motive, gained no benefit from Bridegan's death, and never expressed that Bridegan deserved to die.[CBS News]
- The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, initially pleaded guilty and agreed to testify, but he later withdrew his plea and is scheduled to stand trial next year.[CBS News · Fox News]
- Fernandez Saldana is scheduled to return to court on October 5 to receive his sentencing date.[Fox News]