A case can be understood without pretending its disputed questions are settled.

The Jared Bridegan Case examines the Florida prosecution arising from Bridegan's 2022 killing, the allegations against Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana, and the role of Henry Tenon's proceedings. It explains the charges, the parties' positions, and the questions readers should ask of the evidence.

Part of the Case Chess series, this edition distinguishes allegations from established facts and explains courtroom procedure in plain language.

EDITION SCOPE: This edition covers the case through August 22, 2026, while Fernandez Saldana's trial was underway. The manuscript does not include subsequent court developments.

PUBLISHER'S STATUS NOTE: After this edition's cutoff, a jury found Fernandez Saldana guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony on August 26, 2026. Shanna Gardner has pleaded not guilty and remains presumed innocent. Her prosecution is separate from Fernandez Saldana's conviction.

PUBLISHER'S STATUS NOTE (added October 19, 2026): Charges later changed for two people in the case. Shanna Gardner is now charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder; earlier solicitation and child-abuse charges were dropped (Action News Jax, Sept. 18, 2026). Henry Tenon is now charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; earlier charges were dropped (News4JAX, Oct. 7, 2026). Both are presumed innocent. Judge London Kite said the two will be tried together. Jury selection is set for the week of May 3, 2027, and trial is set to start May 10, 2027 (News4JAX, Oct. 7, 2026). For current dates, see the live Court Calendar (as of October 19, 2026): https://cassiancreed.com/court-calendar/

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