A Florida jury has convicted Mario Fernandez Saldana, 38, of first-degree murder and solicitation in connection with the murder-for-hire killing of former Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan.
The verdict was delivered Wednesday following a case centered on a carefully planned roadside ambush in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Fernandez Saldana faces a mandatory sentence of life in Florida state prison, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
A Tire Was Allegedly Used as a Trap
Bridegan was driving home on February 16, 2022, after dropping off his older children when he encountered a tire blocking the road.
Prosecutors said the tire had been deliberately placed there to force him to stop.
Bridegan got out of his SUV to move it and was fatally shot. His 2-year-old daughter was inside the vehicle nearby when the attack occurred.
Prosecutors Called It a Targeted Ambush
Prosecutors argued that the killing followed years of conflict involving Bridegan and his former wife, Shanna Gardner, over parenting their twins.
Fernandez Saldana is married to Gardner, who also faces charges in connection with Bridegan’s death. Her trial is scheduled for September. She has not been convicted, and the allegations against her remain to be decided in court.
Evidence Presented to the Jury
Jurors heard evidence involving Henry Tenon, whom prosecutors identified as the alleged gunman.
According to AP, investigators linked Tenon’s DNA to the tire placed in the road, while jurors were also shown three checks totaling $10,000 written to Tenon after the killing.
Tenon will face his own trial after withdrawing from an earlier agreement to testify against Fernandez Saldana.
What Happens Next?
Fernandez Saldana will be formally sentenced at a later date and faces mandatory life imprisonment.
The case, however, is not over. Gardner’s upcoming trial and Tenon’s separate case mean the killing will remain before Florida courts.
USA Pulse will continue following major developments in the case.