--- title: "Jury deliberates in Florida murder-for-hire trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/jury-deliberates-in-florida-murder-for-hire-trial-of-mario-fernandez-saldana" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/jury-deliberates-in-florida-murder-for-hire-trial-of-mario-fernandez-saldana" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/jury-deliberates-in-florida-murder-for-hire-trial-of-mario-fernandez-saldana.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/jury-deliberates-in-florida-murder-for-hire-trial-of-mario-fernandez-saldana" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-26T18:05:13.640Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T15:45:09.000Z" updated: "2026-08-26T18:05:13.640Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T19:15:14.799962+00:00" --- # Jury deliberates in Florida murder-for-hire trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana *Mario Fernandez Saldana is accused of orchestrating the killing of his wife's ex-husband, Jared Bridegan.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 16 digests corroborate the central claims, with specific details on payments and DNA. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reports clearly separate fact from comment and provide specific details, but lack quotes from affected parties. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is factual and direct, with no sensationalism or exaggeration. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A Florida jury has started deliberations in the murder trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana. - Saldana is accused of orchestrating the 2022 shooting death of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan. - Prosecutors allege the murder was a scheme by Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and Saldana, motivated by a child custody dispute. - The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, received $10,000 in checks from Saldana for handyman work and a business idea. A jury in Jacksonville, Florida, began deliberations on Wednesday in the murder trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana. Saldana is accused of orchestrating the shooting death of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan, who was killed four years ago. Prosecutors allege the murder was a murder-for-hire scheme hatched by Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and her husband, Saldana, driven by a child custody dispute. Bridegan was shot and killed in February 2022 after he had stopped his vehicle to remove a tire from the road in Jacksonville Beach. His daughter was in the car at the time. The alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, received three checks totaling $10,000 from Saldana, marked as payments for handyman work and a business idea. Tenon's DNA was found on the tire that was placed in the road. ## Disagreement on motive Prosecutors contend the murder was motivated by a dispute over the custody of twins between Bridegan and his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner. Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler told jurors that Bridegan was "unarmed, unaware, exposed, vulnerable" and that the architects of his murder had been preparing for months. However, defense attorney Jesse Dreicer argued that Saldana had no motive and gained no benefit from Bridegan's death. Dreicer also noted there was no testimony that Saldana told anyone Bridegan "deserves to die." ## Omissions in coverage None of the left-rated digests mention the detail that Shanna Gardner, Bridegan's ex-wife, is the daughter of the co-founder of Stampin' Up!, an arts-and-crafts company. None of the centre-rated digests mention that Shanna Gardner is the daughter of the co-founder of Stampin' Up!, an arts-and-crafts company. The right-rated digest does not mention that Shanna Gardner is the daughter of the co-founder of Stampin' Up!, an arts-and-crafts company. ## Who covered it Shares of the 21 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 52% (11) - Centre: 43% (9) - Right: 5% (1) 0 of 21 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T19:15:14.799962+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T20:15:09.151Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Nine left-rated reports led on the jury beginning deliberations in the murder-for-hire trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana, accused in the death of Microsoft manager Jared Bridegan. These reports detailed prosecutors' allegations that the murder was a scheme by Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and Saldana, fueled by a child custody dispute. They noted that the alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, received $10,000 in checks from Saldana for handyman work and a business idea, and that Tenon's DNA was found on the tire placed in the road. The reports also mentioned Gardner is the daughter of the co-founder of Stampin' Up!, an arts-and-crafts company. Some reports included quotes from Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler describing Bridegan as "unarmed, unaware, exposed, vulnerable" and from defense attorney Jesse Dreicer stating Saldana had no motive. The Associated Press report stated Saldana was convicted of first-degree murder and solicitation of murder. ### Centre - Eight centre-rated reports focused on the jury beginning deliberations in the murder trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana, accused in the shooting death of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan. These reports highlighted prosecutors' claims that the killing was a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and Saldana, stemming from a child custody dispute. They mentioned that the alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, received $10,000 in checks from Saldana for handyman work and a business idea, and that Tenon's DNA was identified on the tire placed in the road. Some reports included statements from Assistant State Attorney Christina Stifler and defense attorney Jesse Dreicer regarding motive and Bridegan's vulnerability. ### Right - The one right-rated report led on the jury beginning deliberations in the murder trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana, accused in the shooting death of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan. This report stated that prosecutors allege the murder was a scheme hatched by Bridegan's ex-wife and her husband, Saldana. It noted that the alleged gunman, Henry Tenon, received three checks totaling $10,000 from Saldana for handyman work and a business idea, and that Tenon's DNA was identified on the tire placed in the road. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 12 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Herald Journal](https://hjnews.com/nation/man-convicted-in-murder-for-hire-killing-of-microsoft-manager-on-florida-road/article_42fcd992-b3ed-5fbd-bfea-9358b091c60b.html) — Man convicted in murder-for-hire killing of Microsoft manager on Florida road - [CNN](https://cnn.com/2026/08/26/us/jared-bridegan-mario-fernandez-saldana-murder-trial) — Man convicted in murder-for-hire killing of Microsoft manager on Florida road - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager – WTOP News - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a M - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_e27f8693-9796-5d4b-90bc-3ad283f3d9b1.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/jared-bridegan-florida-microsoft-jacksonville-utah-b3039780.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/microsoft-manager-murder-trial-florida-44f9fdfbb1e23d8e6075ea03d7fd7a35) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/national/2026/08/26/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/26/nation/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/jared-bridegan-florida-microsoft-jacksonville-utah-b3039780.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [Audacy](https://audacy.com/kdkaradio/entertainment/microsoft-manager-murder-trial-florida-44f9fdfbb1e23d8e6075ea03d7fd7a35) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_76892535-f7c5-5829-9001-3af582aecd82.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [The Batesville Daily Guard](https://guardonline.com/news/national/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_16177f3d-3b3f-5c52-8410-aa7ebce0ed9e.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [coasttv.com](https://coasttv.com/news/national/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_4f368548-e8e3-555d-a56d-57bf624c85e4.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [Bozeman Daily Chronicle](https://bozemandailychronicle.com/wire/news/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_26846526-b516-5ec5-8b86-c96ee0ec6390.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/news/local/2026/08/26/jury-to-begin-deliberations-in-mario-fernandez-murder-trial-in-february-2022-ambush-shooting-of-jared-bridegan) — Jury begins deliberations in Mario Fernandez murder trial in February 2022 ambush shooting of Jared Bridegan - [NBC Miami](https://nbcmiami.com/news/local/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/3850855) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_eb515a43-2c9f-513d-bde2-75d37b3aacc5.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager/article_930ce202-48b5-5c83-bd40-aaeeef602b41.html) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/26/florida-jury-deliberates-in-the-alleged-murder-for-hire-killing-of-a-microsoft-manager) — Florida jury deliberates in the alleged murder-for-hire killing of a Microsoft manager ## Questions **Who is on trial for the murder of Jared Bridegan?** Mario Fernandez Saldana is on trial for the murder of Microsoft design manager Jared Bridegan. A jury began deliberations in his case on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege Saldana orchestrated the killing as part of a murder-for-hire scheme. **What was the alleged motive for the murder?** Prosecutors allege the murder was motivated by a child custody dispute between Jared Bridegan and his ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, who is married to the defendant, Mario Fernandez Saldana. The defense has argued that Saldana had no motive. **What role did Henry Tenon allegedly play?** Henry Tenon is identified as the alleged gunman in the killing of Jared Bridegan. Prosecutors presented evidence that Tenon received three checks totaling $10,000 from Mario Fernandez Saldana, marked as payments for handyman work and a business idea. Tenon's DNA was found on the tire placed in the road. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/jury-deliberates-in-florida-murder-for-hire-trial-of-mario-fernandez-saldana. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Jury deliberates in Florida murder-for-hire trial of Mario Fernandez Saldana", https://mediabias.news/politics/jury-deliberates-in-florida-murder-for-hire-trial-of-mario-fernandez-saldana