JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nearly two years after a Jacksonville Beach father of four was shot and killed in front of his child, his family saw his ex-wife in court for the first time Friday.
Shanna Gardner, 36, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges relating to her ex-husband, Jared Bridegan's murder inside the Duval County Courthouse during her arraignment. Prosecutors say Gardner played a role in a plot to kill Bridegan. She faces the death penalty and is charged with first-degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony, conspiracy to commit murder and child abuse.
During Gardner's arraignment, the judge said, "from this point forward, I'm going to schedule all hearings with Mr. Fernandez since it's a joint indictment." Prosecutors say Gardner, along with her second husband Mario Fernandez-Saldana and a man named Henry Tenon, who once rented a home from Fernandez-Saldana, plotted to kill Bridegan.
After the hearing, Bridegan's father spoke to the media saying his son is deeply missed.
"Almost two years ago, my wife and I lost our youngest son to murder," Gaylord Bridegan said. "Our children lost their dear brother. His wife, Kirsten, lost the love of her life. Jared's children lost their father. His death has impacted many."
Jared's sister also spoke, saying the family is eager for the full truth to come out.
"I think that those responsible thought no one would care about Jared, but his family cared," Ashley Bridegan said. "All of his children cared, our community cared and so did many wonderful people from all over the country."
The case is receiving even more national attention now because of Gardner's attorney, who was in court with her for the first time as well on Friday. Jose Baez is best known for winning acquittals for Casey Anthony in the death of her toddler and for late NFL player Aaron Hernandez in his 2017 double-murder trial. Baez was also part of Harvey Weinstein's so-called "dream team" of attorneys for five months before withdrawing from the case.
Gardner was brought from Washington state and was booked into the Duval County Jail less than two weeks ago, where she's being held currently with no bond. She was arrested in August.
The father of four who lived in St. Augustine, was shot and killed in Jacksonville Beach after dropping off his kids at Gardner's home in February 2022. Police say Bridegan was shot when he got out of his car to move a tire that was blocking the road. Police now believe the tire was put there intentionally to lure him out of his car. Bridegan's two-year-old daughter was sitting in the back seat when he was killed.
Gardner as well as Fernandez-Saldana is due back in court on Dec. 1. The earliest this case could go to trial would potentially be in April 2024.