Jared Bridegan murder: Shanna Gardner accused in murder-for-hire plot of ex-husband pleads not guilty
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Shanna Gardner, who has been accused of orchestrating the murder of her ex-husband Jared Bridgegan, pleaded not guilty during her appearance in Duval County court on Friday, November 3.
On Wednesday, November 1, high-profile attorney Jose Baez who has represented NFL player Aaron Hernandez and Orlando mother Casey Anthony in their trials announced that he was taking Gardner's case.
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Jose Baez claims Shanna Gardner is innocent
The 36-year-old woman entered a no-guilty plea at Friday's arraignment and her attorney revealed the case was taken because she needed him.
"The state is trying to kill her, and she’s told me she’s innocent,” Baez of the former Jacksonville Beach woman.
"It’s that simple," he added. If Gardner and her now husband, Mario Fernandez are convicted, the prosecution will seek the death penalty for them, reports Daily Mail.
What are the charges against Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez?
The couple accused of orchestrating the Microsoft executive's murder each faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, and child abuse in connection with the February 2022 killing of Bridegan.
During his arraignment in July, Fernandez pleaded not guilty to his charges.
Following the murder, Gardner and Fernandez moved cross country from Florida to Washington state with the two children she shared with Bridegan.
Who is Henry Tenon?
On January 25, a man named Henry Tanon was taken into custody after bank and phone records showed Fernandez hired him to shoot Bridegan, a father-of-four.
Tenon who is Fernandez' former tenant later admitted to pulling the trigger and agreed to testify against the couple.
"We know Henry Tenon did not act alone," State's Attorney Melissa Nelson previously said at a press conference.
On February 16, 2022, Bridegan was shot multiple times at close range and prosecutors stated Gardner had played a "key and central role" in the murder-for-hire plot.
After dropping off Bridegan's nine-year-old twins with their mother Kirsten Bridegan, he was driving from Jacksonville Beach, Florida to St Augustine on the day he was shot.
At the time of Bridegan's fatal shooting, his two-year-old daughter, Bexley was inside the vehicle which also resulted in Tenon being charged with child abuse.
Tenon walked towards the car after Bridegan had to stop as the killer ambushed his car while placing a tire in the middle of the road.
Gardner is scheduled to appear in court for her pre-trial hearing on December 1.