Fernandez Trial to Begin Amid New Evidence of Murder-for-Hire Plot
A trial is set to begin in Jacksonville, Florida's Duval County Circuit Court for Mario Fernandez, accused of orchestrating the murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan on February 16, 2022.
Fernandez, 38, is charged with first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. His alleged accomplices, Shanna Gardner, Bridegan's ex-wife, and Henry Tenon, the original gunman, have also been accused of participating in the conspiracy.
Tenon initially confessed to being the shooter but has since recanted his statement and withdrawn from his plea deal. He now faces a trial by himself after pleading not guilty. Gardner's trial is scheduled for September.
The prosecution claims they have overwhelming evidence that the gunman did not act alone, placing two suspects at the scene of the crime. Assistant State Attorney Alan Mizrahi stated: 'There's a person that fled on foot, and a person that fled in a vehicle.'