This is the Day 7 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 7 Trial Summary
On Day 7 of proceedings (August 25, 2026) in State of Florida v. Mario Fernandez-Saldana, the defense called two witnesses before resting its case, leading into final closing arguments and jury deliberation prep. The defense presented testimony from Discovery School Director Petra Obritzberger and teacher Lauren Meredith regarding parental involvement, school interactions, and victim dynamics. Defendant Mario Fernandez-Saldana officially exercised his right not to testify. During closing arguments, prosecutor Christina Stifler framed Fernandez-Saldana as the master coordinator who supplied hitman Henry Tenon with logistics, went dark on cell towers during the murder window, and laundered payments disguised as “kickstarter” funds. Defense counsel Jesse Dreicer argued for acquittal based on reasonable doubt, emphasizing that no physical evidence or witness testimony placed Fernandez-Saldana inside the suspect truck or linked him to the 10mm murder weapon. Prosecutor Alan Mizrahi concluded rebuttal by highlighting 318 contentious divorce filings, a phone wipe executed days after Tenon’s arrest, and a $75,000 financial incentive.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Lauren Meredith – Teacher at Discovery School
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Connection to the case: Teacher at the Discovery School who had direct contact with Jared Bridegan and Kirsten Bridegan.
Summary Of Testimony
Meredith testified that her interactions with Jared Bridegan were surprising and condescending, stating he spoke in a negative tone about the school. She further testified that she asked Kirsten Bridegan to take down inflammatory online comments, which Kirsten complied with.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Full report below!
Sources:
LIVE: Microsoft Exec Murder Trial — FL v. Mario Fernandez-Saldana — Day 7, Law & Crime Trials Youtube Channel, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/9aB0cOWZV-o?si=hNX6BK6480dAt-ZD
