Ex-wife and husband charged in chilling murder plot of former exec

In a Duval County, Florida court, the alleged plot to murder Microsoft manager Jared Bridegan was revealed during a bond hearing for Shanna Gardner. Gardner and her husband Mario Fernandez are accused of planning Bridegan's murder. A witness testified that Fernandez allegedly wrote ‘good luck!’ on a check to the alleged hit man.

Detective Chris Johns from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department revealed this information, stating that the check in question was dated April 4, 2022, and issued by Gardner's and Fernandez's company, First Choice Home Rentals. The check, worth $5,000, was allegedly the first payment towards a larger sum of $150,000 agreed upon for the murder of Bridegan.

According to Fox News, prosecutors asserted that the payment to Henry Tenon, who was Fernandez’s former tenant, was not for a business investment, as suggested, but was allegedly for carrying out the murder. Tenon has admitted to pulling the trigger and has agreed to testify against Gardner and Fernandez, according to prosecutors.

The outlet also reported that it was revealed during the hearing that Bridegan was shot and killed in front of his car on February 16, 2022, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. His two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was in the car at the time of the shooting. She later described the incident as hearing a "boom boom" and mentioned her "daddy was sick."

The courtroom heard that Gardner and Fernandez allegedly spent years planning the murder, mainly motivated by custody disputes Gardner had with Bridegan regarding their two children. Detective Johns testified that Fernandez had several previous opportunities to kill Bridegan but failed to do so, referring to these as "missed opportunities."

Gardner had suggested various other theories to the police about what might have happened to her ex-husband, including possibilities of a drug deal gone wrong or a gang initiation. However, Detective Johns testified that there was no evidence to support these claims.

Both Gardner and Fernandez have pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, and child endangerment. Gardner remains in jail as the court deliberates on her eligibility for bond.

The legal representatives for Gardner and Fernandez have not commented on the case following the bond hearing. Henry Tenon's admission and cooperation with the authorities bring a significant development in this ongoing investigation.

Gardner's trial date remains unconfirmed as the legal proceedings continue.