General

Jared Bridegan Murder-for-Hire Trial: What to Know as Case Begins

upi · August 17, 2026

Key takeaways

Mario Fernandez Saldana's trial began Monday on charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony in the killing of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan.
Prosecutors allege Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and accomplice Henry Tenon conspired with Saldana to stage the 2021 ambush, which happened while Bridegan's toddler was in the backseat.
Gardner's jury selection starts August 31, and Tenon's trial begins in March, meaning the case will unfold across three separate trials over several months.

What's Happening

The first of three trials in the murder-for-hire killing of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan kicked off Monday, with Mario Fernandez Saldana facing a jury on charges of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony. Prosecutors dropped two additional charges — conspiracy to commit murder and child abuse — before opening statements. Both sides used the trial's first day to lay out the evidence they plan to present, setting the stage for what's expected to be a closely watched courtroom battle.

The Case in Brief

Bridegan, 33, was killed in a 2021 ambush that investigators say was carefully staged around his daily routine. On the night of his death, he had just dropped off his 9-year-old twins with his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and was driving home with his 2-year-old daughter still in the backseat. A tire had been placed in the road — allegedly by Saldana, who knew Bridegan's route and schedule. When Bridegan stopped to move it, he was ambushed and shot multiple times. One shot landed just inches from his young daughter, who was unharmed but present for the entire attack.

Who's Involved

Three people face charges connected to the killing:

**Mario Fernandez Saldana** — the alleged shooter, now on trial
**Shanna Gardner** — Bridegan's ex-wife and Saldana's estranged wife, accused of orchestrating the plot
**Henry Tenon** — an alleged accomplice who assisted in the killing

Prosecutors allege this wasn't a random act of violence but a planned conspiracy involving all three, tied to the bitter aftermath of Bridegan and Gardner's relationship.

What Comes Next

Saldana's trial is underway now, but he's not the only one headed to court. Jury selection for Gardner's trial is scheduled to begin August 31, and Tenon's trial won't start until March. That means this case — which has drawn national attention for its brazen planning and the presence of Bridegan's young children during the attack — will remain in the news for months.

Why People Are Watching

Cases involving alleged murder-for-hire plots by an ex-spouse tend to draw intense public interest, partly because they combine true-crime intrigue with the unsettling reality of custody disputes turning violent. The staging of the crime scene — using a fake roadside emergency to lure a victim out of his car — has become a central and chilling detail in coverage of the case. With three separate trials unfolding over the next several months, expect new details to surface as prosecutors and defense teams present their full cases.

Why it matters

This case has captured national attention as a chilling example of a staged, premeditated attack tied to a custody dispute, with a young child present during the shooting. As three separate trials unfold over the coming months, new details about the conspiracy are likely to keep emerging.