A jury in Florida has found Mario Fernández Saldana guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation in connection with the killing of Jared Bridegan, a senior design manager at Microsoft who was ambushed in 2022, according to ABC News.
The 33-year-old Bridegan, a father of four, was shot in Jacksonville Beach after stepping out of his vehicle to remove a tire deliberately placed on the road. He was returning home after dropping off his twins with his ex-wife.
One of the most chilling aspects of the crime was that his two-year-old daughter was inside the car when her father was murdered.
At the time, Fernández Saldana, now 38, was married to Shanna Gardner, Bridegan's former wife. Prosecutors claim that the pair orchestrated a murder-for-hire plot, with Henry Tenon alleged to be the gunman.
The motive, as outlined in the charges, revolved around "years of animosity" and a heated custody battle over the twins Bridegan shared with Gardner.
Evidence Leading to the Verdict
Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler stated that Fernández Saldana had frequent communications with Tenon before the murder, provided him with at least $10,000 after the crime, and assisted in obtaining the weapon.
Investigators also discovered a tire at a rental property owned by Fernández Saldana, where Tenon had lived, that matched the one used to force Bridegan to stop. Tenon's DNA was found on it as well.
"They identified the killer through Mario Fernández, not independently. He is the connection in all of this," Stifler said during the trial.
The prosecution also argued that Fernández Saldana erased his phone's content following Tenon's arrest and attempted to sell the property linked to the investigation.
The defense contended that there was no direct evidence against their client and that he had no motive or gain from Bridegan's death. Fernández Saldana pleaded not guilty and chose not to testify.
"Partial Justice Achieved"
Following the verdict, Jared's widow, Kirsten Bridegan, expressed relief but reminded everyone that other proceedings are still pending.
"The truth was seen in that courtroom; the jury saw that truth and acted accordingly," she stated. "Partial justice has been achieved, and we hope for complete justice."
Fernández Saldana faces a mandatory life sentence, as the prosecution decided not to pursue the death penalty.
The case, however, is not over. Shanna Gardner faces charges of conspiring to murder her ex-husband, with her trial set for September.
Tenon, accused of being the shooter, is scheduled for trial in 2027. He initially pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was listed as a co-defendant who would testify in the trials of Fernández Saldana and Gardner. However, he later withdrew his guilty plea and informed his attorney that he would not testify, according to court records.
Understanding the Florida Murder Case
What was the motive behind Jared Bridegan's murder?
The motive is believed to be rooted in "years of animosity" and a contentious custody dispute between Jared Bridegan and his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, over their twins.
Who was accused of being the gunman in the murder?
Henry Tenon was accused of being the gunman in the murder-for-hire plot.
What penalty does Mario Fernández Saldana face?
Mario Fernández Saldana faces a mandatory life sentence, as the prosecution chose not to seek the death penalty.