Will Jared Bridegan's Ex-Wife Flip On Her New Husband Over Murder Charges?

Aug 25, 2023, 01:00 AM

The highly publicized Jared Bridegan murder case took center stage once again on the renowned podcast "Hidden Killers", hosted by Tony Brueski. This week, he sat down with defense attorney Bob Motta, also the host of the podcast Defense Diaries, to delve into the complexities surrounding the extradition battle of Shannon Gardner Fernandez, the ex-wife of the deceased.
 
 Fernandez, now facing charges of first-degree murder for her ex-husband's death, has turned heads by refusing extradition. Motta elucidated the intricacies of such a decision, stating, “She has a right to go to an extradition hearing. But ultimately, they’re gonna get her back. She’s gonna answer for the crimes.” Brueski voiced the question many have been wondering about: Does her refusal of extradition make her appear more guilty in the eyes of the court and the jury?
 
 Motta was quick to dismantle this notion. “It typically doesn’t even come into play,” he said. Drawing a distinction between those who flee while on bond and those like Fernandez who exercise their right to challenge extradition, Motta suggested that while it's not a "great look" for Fernandez, it won't be a focal point in the case against her. "From her perspective, there's really no advantage to it," Motta added, emphasizing the inevitable nature of her facing the charges.
 
 An equally gripping twist in the case was highlighted during the discussion. Another suspect, referred to as Mario and described as Fernandez’s new husband, has already been apprehended in connection to the murder. A looming question is whether both Mario and Fernandez will face a joint trial, and what factors might influence such a decision.
 
 Motta provided valuable insights into the factors at play. “They [prosecution] might file a motion to sever, but they also have motions for joinder as well. Joinder is where you're saying, look, these should be tried together. For expediency. Why have two trials when it's basically the same underlying facts?” However, he also highlighted the defense's potential argument against this, suggesting that evidence not relevant to one defendant might cloud the jury's judgment.
 
 The potential for either Fernandez or Mario to "flip", or provide incriminating evidence against the other in exchange for a more lenient sentence, also surfaced as a significant point of discussion. Motta highlighted that defense attorneys can approach the state if their clients wish to cooperate. “If I've got a client like, ‘Hey, I’ve got information, I’m willing to flip on them,’ then I’m making the call and saying, look, can we talk.”
 
 The Jared Bridegan murder case has gripped the nation for a while, and with these new developments, interest has only intensified. Both Brueski and Motta, with their deep insights and expertise, provide an intricate look into the justice system's workings and the strategic decisions involved in high-profile cases.
 
 It remains to be seen how the extradition battle unfolds and what new revelations come to light as the case progresses. But one thing is clear: the eyes of the public will be keenly fixed on every development.
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