Shanna Gardner, who, alongside her estranged husband Mario Fernandez, faces first-degree murder charges for the alleged murder-for-hire plot that resulted in the death of Gardner's ex-husband, Jared Bridegan, is poised to stand before a judge at a pre-trial hearing scheduled for this morning, as per reports by News4JAX. Gardner and Fernandez could potentially face the death penalty if convicted.
The defense team, led by attorney Jose Baez, is pushing for a dismissal of the case, citing what they claim to be lies told by the lead detective during Gardner's bond hearing and accusations of the prosecution misleading the court Fernandez, who was charged with the same list of offenses will appear at the pre-trial hearing as well; both suspects have previously entered not guilty pleas.
Responding to the claims made by Gardner's defense, the State Attorney's Office Fourth Judicial Circuit firmly stated, "in no way did they mislead the court," as reported by First Coast News.
