Jared Bridegan murder: Ex-wife Shanna Gardner appears in court as DeSantis signs extradition order
Shanna Gardner is accused of conspiring to kill Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan with her new husband Mario Fernandez
Shanna Gardner, the ex-wife accused of orchestrating the death of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan, appeared in a Washington court on Thursday to dispute her extradition to Florida.
Ms Gardner appeared in Benton County Superior Court after Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed an extradition order, the Jacksonville State Attorney’s Office told News4Jax.
The extradition hearing was an attempt by Ms Gardner’s attorneys to prevent her extradition to Duval County where she faces charges of first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and child abuse.
The ex-wife of Bridegan is accused of hatching a murder-for-hire plot with her second husband, Mario Fernandez, to kill Bridegan by hiring Henry Tenon to shoot him.
Bridegan was dropping off his two children at Ms Gardner’s home in Jacksonville Beach when he was ambushed and fatally shot. One of his other children was in the car at the time.
Ms Gardner, who resides in Washington state, was arrested on 17 August – more than a year after Bridegan was killed.
The Independent has reached out to Jacksonville State Attorney for comment.
Timeline of Jared Bridegan’s death and investigation
16 February 2022
Jared Bridegan found dead in the middle of 4000 block of Sanctuary Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
25 January 2023
Henry Tenon arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder with a weapon, accessory after the fact to a capital felony and child abuse.
16 March 2022
Mario Fernandez arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.
17 August 2023
Shanna Gardner arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse
What charges is Shanna Gardner facing?
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, 36, was taken into custody in front of the children she shared with her slain ex-husband Jared Bridegan on 17 August after a years-long investigation into Bridegan’s death.
Ms Gardner is charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse all related to the murder of Bridegan.
Ron DeSantis signs extradition for Shanna Gardner
Florida governor Ron DeSantis has signed an order for the extradition of Shanna Gardner, the State Attorney’s Office confirmed to News4JAX.
Ms Gardner moved to Washington with two children that she shared with her ex-husband Jared Bridegan, who she is accused of killing, after his death.
She was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday morning for her extradition hearing
Shanna Gardner hearing scheduled for 8.30am
Shanna Gardner’s extradition hearing is scheduled to take place in Benton County Superior Court at 8.30am PT (11.30am ET), according to court records.
Judge Diana Ruff will be presiding over the hearing.
Who is Shanna Gardner?
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez, 36, has been charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.
Faiza Saqib reports:
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez: The Ex-wife of slain Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan
WATCH: Police bodycam footage shows moment Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife arrested
RECAP: Shanna Gardner arrested for ex-husband’s murder
Shanna Gardner was taken into custody at her Washington state home on 17 August – more than a year after Bridegan, 33, was killed in Jacksonville Beach in February 2022.
Bridegan was dropping off his two children at Ms Gardner’s home when he was ambushed and shot dead. One of his other children was in the car at the time.
His ex-wife is now accused of hatching a murder-for-hire plot with her second husband, Mario Fernandez, to kill Bridegan by hiring Henry Tenon to shoot him.
Shanna Gardner to appear in court today as she fights extradition
The ex-wife of slain Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan will appear in court today as she continues to fight extradition to face charges over his murder.
Prosecutors are seeking to bring Shanna Gardner back to Florida where she faces the death penalty over charges of first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and child abuse.
Ms Gardner is currently behind bars in Washington state and is slated to appear for her extradition hearing there on Thursday morning.
Her attorneys have been fighting the extradition.
Newly-released bodycam footage shows moment Bridegan’s ex-wife is arrested for his murder
Newly-released bodycam footage shows the dramatic moment police arrested Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife Shanna Gardner-Fernandez for his murder.
Bridegan, a software developer at Microsoft, was ambushed and shot dead in Jacksonville Beach in February 2022.
More than a year later, his ex-wife was charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony and child abuse.
Bodycam footage shows Gardner-Fernandez in a black t-shirt and pink pajama pants as she’s detained by police at her Washington state home in August 2023. One of the 12-year-old twins is heard asking, “Where are your jeans, mom?” The other responds, “I know where they are.”
She’s heard on the video telling the children she loves them as she’s being led away by police. Andrea Cavallier reports.
New bodycam footage shows moment Jared Bridegan’s ex-wife is arrested
Bridegan and Gardner had ‘extensive litigation history'
Shanna Gardner and the late Jared Bridegan have an “extensive litigation history” that has been playing out in St Johns County, Florida courts since 2015, Action News Jax reports.
The more than 800-page divorce and custody file shows the parties used the court system for the majority of their communications and “clearly have extensive litigation history with each one filing multiple motions and petitions.”
Ms Gardner’s attorney recommended a “parenting coordinator” to help resolve disputes without having to resort to litigation
She had requested that Mr Bridegan “provide minimal and reasonable information regarding his travel with the children out of state” — such as the location and approximate time of leaving and returning.
According to the documents, Mr Bridegan “is refusing”.