JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The man accused in the 'pre-planned' killing of Jared Bridegan has waived his right to a speedy trial, according to court documents.
Mario Fernandez-Saldana has pleaded not guilty in the murder of Jared Bridegan. The state announced to the courtroom that they would be seeking the death penalty in the upcoming trial.
In addition to murder charges, he is also facing child abuse charges, because Bridegan was killed in front of his 2-year-old daughter, Bexley.
Fernandez-Saldana is married to Bridegan’s ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez. She has not been charged in the case, but both arrest warrants note the couple's "highly acrimonious divorce," something also mentioned by prosecutors when they announced Fernandez Saldana's arrest.
Fernandez-Saldana co-defendant, Henry Tenon, 62, confessed to his involvement in the murder in March. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Bridegan's killing was "pre-planned," according to police.
The night of his death, he stopped to move a tire out of the road; he was then shot multiple times, at close range. The tire is believed to have been intentionally placed in the road to lure him out of his car.