JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jose Baez, the lead defense attorney for the woman accused of plotting to kill her ex-husband in 2022, announced Friday that he would file a motion advising the court of “critical evidence” not being turned over to the defense.
Shanna Gardner and her estranged husband Mario Fernandez are charged in what prosecutors say was a murder-for-hire plot in the death of Gardner’s ex-husband, 33-year-old Jared Bridegan, in early 2022.
Gardner is under indictment for first-degree murder and facing a possible death penalty. She’s being held without bond.
Baez said much of the motion surrounds incidents and testimony that took place during Shanna Gardner’s bond hearing, known as an Arthur Hearing, on May 15.
Baez accused the State Attorney’s Office of withholding favorable evidence, and Detective Chris Johns of lying under oath. He specifically referred to Johns’ testimony where he spoke of certain text messages that were exchanged between two witnesses identified as “SL” and “KJ.”
The state argued the messages were about Gardner seeking help in hiring a hitman to kill Bridegan. However, Baez said the text messages were a long-running joke, and everyone involved knew it.
Baez said the state had not disclosed those messages before the bond hearing. He also mentioned that after the hearing, both witnesses contacted him, wanting to set the record straight, and gave sworn statements.
“Both witnesses submitted affidavits clarifying their position and basically saying that these statements were completely taken out of context, and that are completely, utterly false,” Baez said.
Moreover, Baez said Detective Johns and other investigators held a “secret meeting” about the text messages but didn’t record it or write an investigative report on it.
“When prosecutors don’t have a case, these are the things that are done,” Baez said Friday.
Baez said Gardner should be released on bond over these “significant discovery violations,” and added that she wants to clear her name.
“I will fulfill my oath as an officer of the court and as the lawyer who has been entrusted with Shanna Gardner’s life, they’re not going to get away with lying in the courtroom,” Baez said. “We’re not going to stop until we seek justice in this case.”
Baez also said it’s wrong that she’s been torn away from her son, who has serious health issues, while she waits for her trial, which could take years.
The State Attorney’s Office issued a statement following the news conference: “We will respond to these spurious allegations in the appropriate venue — the courtroom, not the courthouse steps. We continue to abide by the ethical standards that govern all Florida attorneys regarding trial publicity.”
Gardner and Fernandez have a status conference on June 25.