Jared Bridegan murder case

Developing StoryLast updated JUN 6
SUMMARY

Henry Tenon, accused gunman in the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case, withdrew his guilty plea and entered a not-guilty plea on June 6, 2026, meaning he will not testify against co-defendants Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana. As of June 6, 2026, new court documents allege Saldana called Gardner the "mastermind" and attempted to frame Bridegan's widow, Kirsten Bridegan, by conspiring with an inmate to send letters to media and law enforcement. A judge ruled on May 26, 2026, that a sworn statement made by Tenon on March 15, 2023, is admissible, but other statements from plea negotiations are excluded. Prosecutors have withdrawn their intent to seek the death penalty against Gardner and Saldana following Tenon's plea withdrawal, and their trials are set for August 2026.

Timeline

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June 2026 — 3 developments

  1. New court documents allege Mario Fernandez Saldana called Shanna Gardner the "mastermind" in the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case and attempted to frame Bridegan's widow.

    New court documents allege Mario Fernandez Saldana called Shanna Gardner the "mastermind" in the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case and attempted to frame Bridegan's widow. Henry Tenon has withdrawn his guilty plea and entered a not-guilty plea, meaning he will not testify against co-defendants Gardner and Saldana.

  2. New evidence suggests Mario Fernandez Saldana conspired with an inmate to frame Kirsten Bridegan for her husband's murder.

    New evidence suggests Mario Fernandez Saldana conspired with an inmate to frame Kirsten Bridegan for her husband's murder. This alleged plot involved sending letters to media and law enforcement to cast doubt on Henry Tenon's testimony. A judge ruled on May 26, 2026, on Tenon's motion to preclude statements made during plea negotiations, admitting a sworn statement while excluding others.

  3. A judge agreed on June 1, 2026, to allow Shanna Gardner's defense team to ask more questions of Jared Bridegan's widow ahead of the trial.

    A judge agreed on June 1, 2026, to allow Shanna Gardner's defense team to ask more questions of Jared Bridegan's widow ahead of the trial. This development occurs as Henry Tenon, a key figure in the murder-for-hire case, faces legal proceedings regarding his plea and statements.

May 2026 — 5 developments

  1. A judge ruled on May 26, 2026, that a sworn statement made by accused gunman Henry Tenon on March 15, 2023, is admissible in his upcoming murder trial.

    A judge ruled on May 26, 2026, that a sworn statement made by accused gunman Henry Tenon on March 15, 2023, is admissible in his upcoming murder trial. While some statements made during plea negotiations will be blocked, the judge found Tenon knowingly waived his right to silence. Tenon is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 17, 2026, to set a trial date, with potential dates in 2027 being considered.

  2. A judge ruled that a sworn statement made by accused gunman Henry Tenon in March 2023 is admissible evidence in the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case.

    A judge ruled that a sworn statement made by accused gunman Henry Tenon in March 2023 is admissible evidence in the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case. However, statements made during a February 2023 proffer meeting were deemed inadmissible.

  3. A Florida judge ruled on May 26, 2026, that a sworn statement made by Henry Tenon to prosecutors is admissible in his upcoming murder trial.

    A Florida judge ruled on May 26, 2026, that a sworn statement made by Henry Tenon to prosecutors is admissible in his upcoming murder trial. Tenon is accused of being the hitman in the murder-for-hire plot that killed Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan. The judge found that Tenon knowingly waived his right to silence for the statement made in the prosecutor's office.

  4. A motion hearing was held on May 13, 2026, concerning the admissibility of statements made by Henry Tenon during plea negotiations in the Jared Bridegan murder trial.

    A motion hearing was held on May 13, 2026, concerning the admissibility of statements made by Henry Tenon during plea negotiations in the Jared Bridegan murder trial. Tenon's attorney argued these statements are inadmissible under Florida law. Judge London Kite indicated a ruling would be made on May 26.

  5. Henry Tenon's defense attorneys argued in court on May 13, 2026, to suppress statements made during plea negotiations in 2023.

    Henry Tenon's defense attorneys argued in court on May 13, 2026, to suppress statements made during plea negotiations in 2023. The defense contends these statements, made under the belief they were protected, should not be admissible in court. Tenon had previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against co-defendants Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana before withdrawing his plea in February 2026.

April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Henry Tenon's trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection in August, while co-defendants Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana will go to trial on August 10, 2026.

    Henry Tenon's trial is scheduled to begin with jury selection in August, while co-defendants Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana will go to trial on August 10, 2026. Prosecutors have withdrawn their intent to seek the death penalty against Gardner and Saldana following Tenon's withdrawal of his guilty plea and claims of false testimony.

  2. A judge ruled that Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez will have separate trials in the Jared Bridegan murder case, with Mario Fernandez's trial set to begin in August.

    A judge ruled that Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez will have separate trials in the Jared Bridegan murder case, with Mario Fernandez's trial set to begin in August. Henry Tenon's case will proceed separately, with no trial date yet set for him.

March 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Henry Tenon pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder indictment in the Jared Bridegan case during a pre-trial hearing in late March 2026.

    Henry Tenon pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder indictment in the Jared Bridegan case during a pre-trial hearing in late March 2026. Prosecutors have stated they will not seek the death penalty against Tenon. This development follows his earlier withdrawal of a guilty plea to second-degree murder.

  2. Henry Tenon, accused in the Jared Bridegan murder, has filed a motion to exclude his prior plea statements from his upcoming trial.

    Henry Tenon, accused in the Jared Bridegan murder, has filed a motion to exclude his prior plea statements from his upcoming trial. His legal team argues these statements are inadmissible under Florida law. Tenon previously withdrew his guilty plea and faces first-degree murder charges.

  3. New evidence released in the Shanna Gardner case includes text messages allegedly showing Gardner discussing the murder of Jared Bridegan with friends.

    New evidence released in the Shanna Gardner case includes text messages allegedly showing Gardner discussing the murder of Jared Bridegan with friends. Henry Tenon, who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana, has withdrawn his plea and will proceed to trial. Gardner and Saldana are charged with hiring Tenon to commit the murder.

February 2026 — 4 developments

  1. Henry Tenon has been indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder, child abuse, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to Duval County court records.

    Henry Tenon has been indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder, child abuse, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to Duval County court records. This indictment comes days after Tenon's motion to withdraw his guilty plea was approved, allowing him to proceed to trial. Tenon is accused of shooting and killing Jared Bridegan on February 16, 2022.

  2. Henry Tenon changed his plea to not guilty in the murder of Jared Bridegan and had his guilty plea to second-degree murder withdrawn by Judge London Kite.

    Henry Tenon changed his plea to not guilty in the murder of Jared Bridegan and had his guilty plea to second-degree murder withdrawn by Judge London Kite. Tenon stated, "I want a trial," and his case will now proceed separately from co-defendants Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana. His plea deal, which involved testifying against them in exchange for a reduced sentence, is now off the table.

  3. Henry Tenon, who had previously pleaded guilty to his role in the murder of Jared Bridegan and agree…

    Henry Tenon, who had previously pleaded guilty to his role in the murder of Jared Bridegan and agreed to testify against co-defendants, has had his motion to withdraw his guilty plea approved. This means Tenon will now proceed to trial, impacting the cases against Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez.

February 2025 — 1 developments

January 2025 — 1 developments

January 2023 — 1 developments

March 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Mario Fernandez Saldana, the husband of Bridegan's ex-wife Shanna Gardner, was arrested and indicted on charges related to Bridegan's murder.

    Mario Fernandez Saldana, the husband of Bridegan's ex-wife Shanna Gardner, was arrested and indicted on charges related to Bridegan's murder. Henry Tenon had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to testify against Fernandez Saldana and Gardner.

February 2022 — 3 developments

January 2022 — 2 developments