This is the Day 6 of the 2-week trial report of the murder trial of Mario Fernandez-Saldana, accused of murdering being part of a murder for hire plot with his wife Shanna Gardner to kill her ex and Microsoft Exec Jared Bridegan after an acrimonious divorce. Mario Fernandez pleads not guilty.
Case Report
Factual background:
On February 16, 2022, 33-year-old Microsoft manager Jared Bridegan was ambushed and killed in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, shortly after dropping off his nine-year-old twins at the home of his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner. While driving back to St. Augustine with his two-year-old daughter in the back seat, Bridegan stopped on a dimly lit section of road to remove a tire intentionally placed in the roadway. When he stepped out of his vehicle, an assailant shot him multiple times at close range, as his toddler watched in her car seat. Investigators traced the killing to a years-long custody and legal dispute between Bridegan and Gardner.
Criminal complaint:
CHARGES:
1st Degree Murder – Guilty – Decided on 26th August 2026
Solicitation to commit murder – Guilty – Decided on 26th August 2026
Victim(s): Jared Bridegan
Courthouse: Duval County Courthouse
Officers of the court
Judge:
Attorneys
Prosecution:
ASA Christina Stifler
ASA Alan Mizrahi
Defence:
Jesse Dreicer
James Hill
Legend:
ASA = Assistant State Attorney
FL v. Mario Fernandez-Santana – Day 6 Trial Summary
On Day 6 of proceedings (August 24, 2026) in State of Florida v. Mario Fernandez-Saldana, the prosecution concluded its case-in-chief by focusing on the origin of the suspected 10mm murder weapon, witness wiretaps, financial paper trails, and post-homicide money transfers. Witness testimony began with associates Fred Barton, John Biggerstaff, and Juan Biggerstaff, who detailed the movement of a gun cabinet and a missing 10mm firearm previously owned by convicted felon John Biggerstaff, alongside discussions regarding wiretaps, rejected immunity deals, and memory loss. Lead Detective Chris Johns was then recalled to the stand to present bank account extractions showing significant financial transfers from Fernandez-Saldana to hitman Henry Tenon following the murder—including checks marked with memos like “kickstarter good luck,” “landscaping,” and “keeping up with the roof,” alongside a $10,000 cash withdrawal. Under cross-examination, the defense highlighted that no proof of payment existed prior to the homicide and emphasized the immense wealth of Shanna Gardner’s family before the State formally rested its case.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
John Biggerstaff – Friend of Defendant
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case: Personal friend and workout partner of Mario Fernandez-Saldana who previously owned a 10mm firearm.
Summary Of Testimony
Biggerstaff admitted to becoming a convicted felon in 2017 and purchasing a 10mm firearm prior to 2016, though he claimed he currently has no idea where the gun is. He testified that Fernandez-Saldana discussed custody disputes involving Bridegan and later mentioned Bridegan was dead. Under cross-examination, Biggerstaff testified that he suffers from short-term memory loss, never gave a firearm to Fernandez-Saldana or Henry Tenon, rejected the State’s immunity offer, and maintained that Fernandez-Saldana took no part in the murder.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Full report below!
Sources:
LIVE: Microsoft Exec Murder Trial — FL v. Mario Fernandez-Saldana — Day 6, Law & Crime Trials Youtube Channel, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/X2J24eAE0JA?si=QFTHdhDYVQT3jw6m
