FL - Jared Bridegan, 33, father of 4, ambushed & killed, Jacksonville Beach, 16 Feb 2022 *3 arrests, 1 guilty* #2

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I think we can view this as another welcome to bond reform where common sense (and often times the State's Constitution) get thrown out the Courtroom window (which no longer contain any glass). MOO

For example, Colorado voters will be voting this fall to update the language of their State Constitution after the State Supreme Court ruled the term 'capital offense' implies death penalty, and since the state abolished punishment by death, capital offenses such as first degree murder are now eligible for bond and/or pretrial bail release!

Killer's getting bond wasn't intended...
Appending to my earlier post-- Change in Florida law effective Jan 1, 2024:

Florida Statute 907.041(5)(b) states that an individual arrested for a dangerous crime may not be granted nonmonetary pretrial release at a first appearance hearing. However, prior to January 1, 2024, the statute stated that the Judge had discretion to release an accused on electronic monitor or a recognizance bond if the findings on the record of facts and circumstances warrant such a release.

The new law deletes that sentence effectively showing the legislature’s intent to require monetary bonds in all cases where a defendant is charged with a dangerous crime. This change drastically affects defendants that have limited financial resources and cannot afford a monetary bond.

 
Friday, May 24th:
*Case Management Hearing for both (@ 1pm ET) – FL – Jared Galen Bridegan (33), father of 4 ambushed & killed (shot 4 times), his 2-year-old daughter was just feet away in the back seat, Jacksonville Beach, Feb. 16, 2022. – *Shanna Lee Gardner-Fernandez (36/now 37) indicted & arrested (8/17/23 by ATF agents in West Richland, Wash.), charged & arraigned (11/3/23) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony & child abuse. DA will seek the DP. Held without bail on Fugitive warrant (in Benton County, WA). Was extradited on 10/20/23 to Florida. Plead not guilty. No bond.
*Mario Enrique Fernandez Saldana (34/now 36) arrested (in Kissimmee, Orange County, 3/22/23) & charged & indicted (3/16/23) & arraigned (4/4/23) with 1st degree murder with a weapon, conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder, solicitation to commit a capital felony & child abuse. In Orange County jail waiting for transfer to Jacksonville in Duval County. Transferred to Duval County on 3/22/23. Held without bond. Plead not guilty. DA will seek the DP.
Trial was set to begin on 4/13/24 for both was cancelled with no further dates.
Judge London M. Kite. State attorney Christina Simak Stiller. Gardener defense attorneys Jose Angel Baez, lead counsel & Patrick K. Korody.
Saldana defense attorneys Frank John Tassone, Jr., Jesse Driecer & James Hill.

Case & court info from 3/16/23 thru 5/13/24 reference post #486 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-feb-2022-3-arrests-1-guilty-2.689030/page-25

5/14/24 Docket Update: Gardner: State's motion for pretrial detention & motion to deny bail. 5/15/24 Update: Gardner: Judge London Kite presiding. Present: Asst. State attorney Christina Simak-Stifler, defendant attorney Jose Baez, defendant present in jail. Others present: A. Mizrahi (ASA) & P. Korody for defense. Hearing on defense's motion to set bond & state' motion for pretrial detention & motion to deny bail held in full. Motion to determine confidentiality of 2 exhibits. Court Order on defense unopposed motion to determine confidentiality of 2 exhibits. Clerk's memo of hearing. Court Order First Coast News' & the Florida Times-Union's motion to intervene & oppose closure of hearing on defense motions to disqualify 4th Judicial Circuit Office of State attorney [Dkt #101]. Court Order on non-party WJAX-TV's motion to intervene for the limited purpose of opposing closure of Judicial proceedings [Dkt #102]. Court Order on Graham Media Group, Florida, Inc.'s motion to intervene & oppose closure of hearing on defense motions to disqualify 4th Judicial Circuit Office of State attorney [Dkt #99]. Next case management conference on 5/17/24 @ 9am. 5/13/24 Docket update: Court Order on motion for in-camera inspection [Dkt #187]. Next case management conference hearing on 5/24/24 @ 1pm.
5/13/24 Docket update: Saldana: Court Order denying defendant's motions to disqualify Office of the State attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit & Order granting suppression. Court Order on motion for in-camera inspection [Dkt #187]. Next case management hearing on 5/24/24 @ 1pm. 5/16/24 Docket update: Gardner: Judge Kite re request for bond under advisement. Cancelled case management hearing on 5/17/24-reason incorrect date set. Next case management hearing on 5/24/24 @ 9am. Time was changed to 1pm.
*Henry Arthur Tenon (61/now 62) – Plead guilty (3/17/23) to 2nd degree murder & will testify against Saldana & Gardner. Status hearing on 5/28/24.
 
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Shanna Gardner, the woman at the center of what prosecutors have called a "murder-for-hire" plot to kill her ex-husband and father of her two children, Jared Bridegan, was denied bond Friday afternoon.


I guess no one else besides First Coast news carries these updates - I can not access this.... :(
Does it say what the next hearing date is?

Maybe when @PayrollNerd gets time - she can look up the docket. TIA!
 
I guess no one else besides First Coast news carries these updates - I can not access this.... :(
Does it say what the next hearing date is?

Maybe when @PayrollNerd gets time - she can look up the docket. TIA!

It does not list the next hearing date.

Some other interesting quotes...

"But Duval County Judge London Kite denied her motion to set bond Friday, ordering that Gardner stay in jail until her trial."

and

"She also said Gardner was a flight risk, exemplified by the fact that she moved to Washington after Bridegan's murder and no longer has property in Jacksonville. In the order, she talked about how Gardner moved without her children for months because of social media messages regarding her involvement in Bridegan's death."

and

"She also explained ways Gardner could have benefited from Bridegan's death, including the fact that she could not receive her trust fund unless she had "no further legal entanglements with her ex-husband."

and

"Finally, Kite noted that Gardner has contacted witnesses in the past and may interfere with the judicial process if she was let out."

 
It does not list the next hearing date.

Some other interesting quotes...

"But Duval County Judge London Kite denied her motion to set bond Friday, ordering that Gardner stay in jail until her trial."

and

"She also said Gardner was a flight risk, exemplified by the fact that she moved to Washington after Bridegan's murder and no longer has property in Jacksonville. In the order, she talked about how Gardner moved without her children for months because of social media messages regarding her involvement in Bridegan's death."

and

"She also explained ways Gardner could have benefited from Bridegan's death, including the fact that she could not receive her trust fund unless she had "no further legal entanglements with her ex-husband."

and

"Finally, Kite noted that Gardner has contacted witnesses in the past and may interfere with the judicial process if she was let out."


Thanks for the additional info! :)
 

After an hours long hearing last week, a Duval County judge ruled Friday that the prosecution "has met its burden in proving that (Gardner)'s guilt is evident."

[..]

Kite clarified she is not making a judgement on Gardner's innocence because a bond hearing, called an Arthur Hearing, is not the same as a trial. She cites Florida law: "For an Arthur hearing, while it involves a proffer of what the evidence may be at trial, is not a trial at all. It is before a judge, not a jury. Its purpose is not to determine the defendant's guil but whether the defendant is eligible for bail and, if so, what conditions."


The couple is scheduled to be back in court on 5/31/24.
 

5/24/24

Her defense team argued for bond, last week, in court. Judge London Kite denied that request, on Friday.

“I’ve carefully considered the evidence that was presented,” Judge Kite said. “And denied the defendant’s motion to set bond.”

Judge Kite took a week to go over the six hours of testimony given by both the defense and State Attorney’s Office. She cited that the defendant is a flight risk, according to court documents. Kite pointed to the fact that Gardner’s children live in Washington state. She doesn’t own a home here, and doesn’t have a job here.

A case management hearing also took place, on Friday, for both Gardner and Fernandez-Saldana.

The State Attorney’s Office said it has more than 100 witnesses for the trial. It’s unclear if they will call each one.

[..]

Fernandez-Saldana and Gardner will have a pre-trial hearing on May 31 at 9 A.M.
 
DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Shanna Gardner, the woman at the center of what prosecutors have called a "murder-for-hire" plot to kill her ex-husband and father of her two children, Jared Bridegan, was denied bond Friday afternoon.

YAY. YAY. YAY. YAY
 
This is the most inclusive article yet. And they usually are the best. jacksonville.com and Florida Times Union are one in the same.
Hopefully out of country folks can open it. ?? @Niner ??


Great article - thanks!
 
This is the most inclusive article yet. And they usually are the best. jacksonville.com and Florida Times Union are one in the same.
Hopefully out of country folks can open it. ?? @Niner ??

This one is real good. And I can read it in Australia.
 

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