A tire in the road, then a father shot dead. Now a man accused of planning it goes on trial - CNN

Jared Bridegan, a 33-year-old Microsoft executive, was shot dead in February 2022 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, after stopping his car to move a tire placed in the road while his 2-year-old daughter sat in the backseat.

Prosecutors describe the killing as a "planned and targeted ambush and murder," with police saying the tire was deliberately planted to lure Bridegan out of his vehicle; multiple bullets struck him and his car, one within inches of his toddler, who was unharmed.

Bridegan's body, car, wallet, watch and other belongings were left untouched, ruling out robbery, and police say the attack was personal even though the actual shooter was a stranger to the victim.

Authorities allege the death was part of a monthslong murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner, and her husband, Mario Fernandez Saldana, whose trial began Monday, August 10, with jury selection.

Investigators cite a contentious, yearslong custody battle over the couple's twins as the motive, with Assistant State Attorney Christina Simak Stifler describing the former couple's relationship as "nasty" and "petty" during opening statements.

Defense attorney James Hill countered that Fernandez Saldana had no motive or desire to see Bridegan killed, setting up a central dispute for the jury over his alleged involvement.