Shanna Gardner is accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire killing of her ex-husband Jared Bridegan, a Microsoft executive and father of four, who was shot dead on a Florida roadside in February 2022. Prosecutors allege Gardner was frustrated by ongoing custody disputes over the couple's twin children and conspired with her then-boyfriend Mario Fernandez-Saldana to arrange Bridegan's killing.
The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, initially agreed to testify against both defendants as part of a plea deal, but later withdrew that agreement — leading to the defendants being tried separately. Fernandez-Saldana's trial begins 17 August 2026; Gardner's trial is set for 8 September 2026.
The death penalty motion against both defendants has been withdrawn. The case has been followed closely by legal commentators and the true-crime community.
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