Why Shanna Gardner's Trial Just Got Delayed

Shanna Gardner's trial was supposed to start this week. Then Mario Fernandez's conviction blew a hole in the timeline.
Fernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation for killing Jared Bridegan — a plot prosecutors say Gardner set in motion. The jury deliberated less than four hours and Fernandez is facing life without parole. But one day after that verdict, prosecutors filed two new felony charges against him, both involving children and both unrelated to Bridegan's death.
That's what pushed Judge London Kite to grant Gardner's defense a continuance, moving jury selection to May 2027. Her attorneys say they need time to investigate whether the new allegations point to a motive of Fernandez's own — something that could reshape the entire narrative around who wanted Bridegan dead and why. Fernandez had already told police the twins were "better off" with Bridegan "out of the picture," a line that predates the new charges considerably.
The delay doesn't touch the evidence prosecutors already have against Gardner directly: her own text messages. One exchange has a friend describing a search for someone who "performs permanent disappearing acts on certain people." A detective testified the plan traces to 2015. Gardner faces murder, conspiracy, solicitation, and a fourth charge tied to her children.
Her attorney is Jose Baez — the lawyer who got Casey Anthony acquitted — and he's already fighting the state over how it's characterizing the evidence. The jury pool has been doubled to 500 people. May 2027 is the new date. Whether it holds is another question entirely.
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