politics
Florida trial underway in Microsoft executive's murder allegedly hatched by his ex-wife and her husband
Updated on: August 17, 2026 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- Mario Fernandez Saldana is on trial for the first-degree murder of Jared Bridegan, a Microsoft design manager.
- Prosecutors claim Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and Saldana orchestrated the murder as a "targeted ambush."
- The shooting occurred when Bridegan stopped to remove a tire from the road while his 2-year-old daughter was in the car.
- A key piece of evidence is a tire found at a property owned by Fernandez Saldana, matching the one used in the ambush.
- Henry Tenon, accused of being the gunman, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and agreed to testify but later withdrew his plea.
- The motive is alleged to stem from years of disputes between Bridegan and Gardner over religion and raising their twin children.
- The defense contends Fernandez Saldana had no motive and could have fled if guilty.