Ex-Wife's Husband on Trial for Murder-for-Hire

A Florida jury began deliberations on Wednesday concerning the murder of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan, who was fatally shot four years ago. Prosecutors allege that his ex-wife and her current husband orchestrated the killing as a murder-for-hire scheme. The prosecution contends that the motive was a long-standing joint custody dispute and other parenting issues involving their twins.

Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler stated that Bridegan was unarmed and vulnerable when he stopped to remove a tire from the road, a tire that was intentionally placed there. The defendant, Mario Fernandez Saldana, is charged with first-degree murder and solicitation of murder. His defense argues he had no motive and gained no benefit from Bridegan's death. The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, received three checks totaling $10,000 after the homicide for purported handyman work.

Tenon, who was a former tenant of Fernandez Saldana, had his DNA found on the tire. He initially agreed to testify against Fernandez Saldana but later withdrew his plea deal. Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, whose trial is set for September, is the daughter of a Utah-based arts-and-crafts company co-founder. Bridegan's current wife described their post-divorce relationship as "pretty terrible" with "absolutely no trust."