Murder-for-Hire Plot Unfolds | Jacksonville News

Mario Fernandez Saldana faces trial for orchestrating the 2022 murder of Jared Bridegan — a killing allegedly ordered by Saldana and his estranged wife, Shanna Gardner, to eliminate Bridegan after a bitter divorce and custody battle. Prosecutors dropped the death penalty, leaving a potential life sentence on the line. Evidence includes damning phone records, handwritten checks to the hired killer Henry Tenon, and testimony from a friend of Gardner’s and two jail inmates. Jury selection for Gardner begins August 31, with Tenon’s trial set for March 29 next year. Saldana insists he was home sick and drowsy from medication that night — and his defense plans to surprise everyone by calling him to the stand. Tenon and Gardner won’t testify, making the prosecution’s case rely heavily on circumstantial evidence and witness accounts. The trial could stretch weeks, with forensic experts and family members set to take the stand. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/6b6ef30d64b80ce6