Henry Tenon and Shanna Gardner Cases Combined
Prosecutors have joined the murder cases of Henry Tenon and Shanna Gardner ahead of their upcoming trial in Jacksonville.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Crime — General
Henry Tenon appeared in court in Jacksonville to face updated first-degree murder charges as prosecutors combined his criminal case with that of co-defendant Shanna Gardner. The two are accused in the 2022 killing of Jared Bridegan.
Why it matters
Prosecutors allege that Gardner and Mario Fernandez hired Tenon to kill Bridegan following ongoing custody disputes. Combining the cases streamlines the prosecution process for the high-profile murder trial.
Henry Tenon and Shanna Gardner are both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy. Mario Fernandez, a former associate of Tenon, was previously convicted of murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony in August 2026.
The players
Henry Tenon
He is a 65-year-old defendant currently facing first-degree murder charges in the death of Jared Bridegan.
Shanna Gardner
She is a 39-year-old co-defendant charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Jared Bridegan
He was the victim of a murder occurring in February 2022 in Jacksonville.
Mario Fernandez
He is a convicted murderer who was found guilty in August 2026 for his role in the solicitation and death of the victim.
The details
Prosecutors dropped several lesser charges including child abuse and accessory after the fact against the defendants to consolidate the murder case. Evidence in the case includes DNA found on a tire used to block Bridegan's path during the 2022 incident.
Timeline
Jared Bridegan was murdered on February 16, 2022.
Mario Fernandez was found guilty of murder in August 2026.
Henry Tenon appeared in court on October 7, 2026.
Jury selection begins on May 3, 2027.
The trial for Tenon and Gardner begins on May 10, 2027.
Legal Context
This case follows the August 2026 conviction of Mario Fernandez, marking a final phase in the prosecution of those involved in the 2022 killing. The consolidation of defendants is a common procedural step in complex conspiracy cases in this jurisdiction.
The upcoming trial is expected to last three weeks and will likely cause increased activity and security around the Jacksonville courthouse. Residents should anticipate potential traffic adjustments and parking limitations in the immediate vicinity during the proceedings.
The takeaway
The court's decision to combine these cases signals that prosecutors are moving toward a unified trial strategy for the remaining defendants. This development streamlines the legal process and clarifies the path toward a verdict in the 2022 homicide.
Further reading
For more background on ongoing local judicial proceedings, visit the Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 4 Jax.
