JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man accused in the murder of St. Augustine father Jared Bridegan appeared in Duval County Court for the first time on Thursday morning.
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department announced the arrest of a man named Henry Tenon in connection to the case. When he appeared in court for the first time, the judge read his charges before announcing his next court date as Feb. 16. His second appearance will be exactly a year to the day after Bridegan's murder.
He was not granted bond.
Tenon faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, accessory after the fact, child abuse and second-degree murder. He did not show any reaction while the judge read off his charges.
Bridegan, 33, was shot and killed in the street, with his 2-year-old daughter in the car behind him.
State Attorney Melissa Nelson says the State Attorney's Office is seeking an indictment by a state grand jury of first-degree murder charges.
The conspiracy to commit murder charge is related to the fact that this was a planned crime, Nelson said, and the accessory charge is due to Tenon's actions in the days that followed.
Nelson said that the child abuse charge is because of the endangerment of Bridegan's daughter.
What happened to Jared Bridegan?
Police said Tuesday that Bridegan's murder was "planned" and "targeted."
The Microsoft executive had just dropped off his 10-year-old twins at the home of his ex-wife and was returning home to St. Augustine. Jacksonville Beach Police said the incident occurred between 7:15 and 8 p.m. and was witnessed by his daughter.
A $55,000 reward was offered for information in the case. Police said after the crime they were seeking information on a blue F-150, and that they thought Bridegan had pulled over to remove a tire from the road.
At Tuesday's press conference, police said that they now know the tire was placed in the road on purpose.
Bridegan put on his hazard lights and pulled over to remove the tire. When he went into the roadway, he was "gunned down."
His 2-year-old daughter was still strapped in her car seat behind him.
Tenon's arrest warrant has been sealed for 30 days. He is expected to appear in court Thursday.
Crime expert says suspect did not act alone
Since Tenon was charged with conspiracy, this means two or more people were allegedly involved in Bridegan's murder and expects investigators to make more arrests.
"I think they probably have an idea who the other co-conspirators and I think it's only a matter of time before they decide to do what they're going to do with those Co-conspirators," Crime and Safety Expert Mark Baughman said.
Baughman says he believes that Tenon is most likely cooperating with police and may reveal who else was involved.
