The second day of testimony began Tuesday in the murder-for-hire trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana, who is accused of hiring a hitman to kill Jared Bridegan, a Microsoft executive and father of four. The trial, underway in St. Johns County, Florida, follows the conclusion of jury selection last week, which included twelve jurors and four alternates.
Prosecution alleges Saldana orchestrated the killing amid a bitter custody dispute with Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, Bridegan’s ex-wife. The defense argues the state has not proven Saldana solicited or intended Bridegan’s death.
On Monday, Kirsten Bridegan, Jared’s widow, took the witness stand and recounted the final phone call with her husband before his death. She described the call as unusually quiet after Bridegan dropped off his children, including his twins and daughter Bexley, following a routine dinner outing. Prosecutors allege the years-long conflict over parenting time, medical expenses, and religious decisions among the families fueled the alleged murder-for-hire plot.
Key Developments in the Trial
During testimony, a witness identified as Wallace—likely a law enforcement or forensic expert—faced cross-examination by the defense. The defense pressed Wallace on gaps in surveillance footage, including a 36-minute missing segment from a security camera at Pablo Hamlet, where the ambush allegedly occurred. The defense also noted the absence of footage showing a driver or shooter entering a blue truck linked to the crime, asserting this undermined the prosecution’s timeline.
The prosecution maintains that Henry Tenon, the alleged gunman, arrived at the scene in the blue truck, while the defense disputes the reliability of the evidence, arguing that critical gaps in the footage leave key questions unanswered.
Background and Legal Context
Mario Fernandez Saldana is charged with solicitation to commit first-degree murder, a capital offense in Florida. Prosecutors allege he provided financial support and planning for the killing, which occurred on a Wednesday evening as Bridegan drove his black Volkswagen Atlas. The defense has not presented its case but has signaled it will challenge the prosecution’s evidence, including the credibility of witness testimonies and the integrity of the investigation.
The trial is being streamed live on the Action News Jax website, its mobile app, and YouTube channel, allowing public access to the proceedings. The case has drawn attention due to the high-profile nature of the victim and the alleged motive tied to a prolonged family dispute.
The trial continues with further witness testimonies and cross-examinations scheduled for the coming days.