The Florida woman accused of plotting the murder of her Microsoft executive ex-husband ended their marriage by having an affair with a personal trainer — and accused her former partner of stalking her family’s fortune, newly released court documents show.
The newspaper detailed a police interview conducted with Shanna Gardner-Fernandez just weeks after Jared Bridegan was pumped full of bullets as his 2-year-old daughter looked on in horror.
Gardner-Fernandez, who was arrested 18 months later and now faces the death penalty if convicted in the case, calmly told investigators in March 2022 that she wanted the case resolved so she could move on with her life.
Coming from a wealthy Mormon family, he told police he married Bridegan after two months of dating because he was “desperate” – and only had a crush on her at the time.
“She stated looking back she wondered if Jared had an ulterior motive, knowing he was coming from money,” according to court documents.
Shanna Gardner-Fernandez told police she had an affair before divorcing Bridegan. First Coast News
Describing her dead ex-partner to police as shy and controlling, Gardner-Fernandez volunteered that she had strayed during their marriage.
Gardner-Fernandez fell in love with her personal trainer at the YMCA near their home in Jacksonville Beach.
“Shanna stated she met a trainer at the gym and became emotionally involved with him,” the paper said. “This made her realize that she has greater feelings for the coach than her husband. He stated, ‘this is the beginning of the end.’ “
Gardner-Fernandez described Bridegan as a “recluse” during their marriage, and said he “just wanted to hang out with her or play with her ‘toys’.”
Gardner-Fernandez has denied any role in Bridegan’s death. momandpaparazzi.com / BACKGRID
Before her relationship with the trainer, Bridegan, a devout Mormon, would try to control her clothing choices, Gardner-Fernandez told police.
“Jared won’t let her have friends,” the filing said. “And being obscene about how he should appear and dress.”
Despite their dispute, Gardner-Fernandez said he was never abusive or violent, “even stating he could lean on one hand when she ‘screamed’ at him.”
The couple – who have two children together – would eventually split in 2015, sparking a war over custody and finances.
Gardner-Fernandez told police the home they shared was bought through a trust linked to her family, but Bridegan claimed half of its value after their divorce.
Garder-Fernandez told police weeks after the murder that she believed Bridegan was after her money when they were married. BOB SELF / USA TODAY NETWORK
She later left the Mormon faith and eventually married Mario Saldana-Fernandez in 2018. She met him at a Jacksonville beach CrossFit gym.
Gardner-Fernandez told police that they tied the knot after briefly dating, and that the marriage was largely motivated by his desire to help her with her children.
“He stated that they did not know each other well when they were married,” according to the document.
Jared Bridegan was shot to death in front of his then 2-year-old daughter in Jacksonville. Instagram / @justiceforjaredb
Saldana-Fernandez is also charged with first degree murder in Bridegan’s death, with prosecutors alleging that she stabbed a tenant in one of a series of dilapidated Jacksonville rental buildings she rented to carry out the shooting.
Shanna told the police to brace herself before interviewing her partner.
“Good luck with Mario,” he told the detective. “He’s like a pit bull.”
In conclusion, Gardner-Fernandez acknowledged that Bridegan’s death would alleviate some of the problems associated with their ongoing feud — but denied any role in her death.
Mario Saldana-Fernandez and Gardner-Fernandez face the death penalty if convicted of murder. Mario Fernandez / Facebook
“Gardner mentioned that the ‘timing of all this was strange’ because he had just decided to ‘let go’ of the frustration and just make the best of the situation,” the paper said.
“He stated in moments of anger he had thought about how easy this was, but in the end he didn’t wish there was any ill will towards them.”
Gardner-Fernandez, who recently retained former Casey Anthony attorney Jose Baez, has pleaded not guilty in the case.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
