Mario Fernandez-Saldana trial concludes first week of testimony

The first week of testimony in the trial of Mario Fernandez-Saldana wrapped up Friday afternoon with the state calling three more witnesses to the stand.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The first week of testimony in the trial of Mario Fernandez-Saldana wrapped up Friday afternoon.

The state called three more witnesses to the stand, including Lyndsey Butler, a former ATF data analyst. 

Butler said she was tasked with looking at data from devices belonging to Fernandez, Henry Tenon, Shanna Gardner, and John Biggerstaff. The state presented a chart that showed the number of phone interactions between Fernandez and Tenon decreased overtime from January 2022 to August 2022.

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Jurors also saw spreadsheets of Fernandez’s phone activity, including who he was calling or texting and at what time. Butler testified that they looked dates of interest, the day before and day of the murder in February 2022, and March 10, 2022. Butler said they that date was chosen because investigators released pictures of Tenon’s blue truck to the public on March 9. The phone records show Fernandez and Tenon calling and texting on that date.

Records of John Biggerstaff’s search history show he searched for 10 mm pistols a couple weeks before the shooting, though the defense said he did not search the exact model used to kill Bridegan.

Butler was also asked about records showing data that had been deleted from Fernandez’s phone. According to the records, a large amount of data had been deleted from his device the morning of his interview with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department on March 1, 2022. 

One of the last few questions asked by the state was about a call Fernandez made on August 18, 2022 which was the day Tenon was arrested on driving-related charges. Records show he called Tenon’s girlfriend that day and that was the only call ever made to her.

The defense asked if that phone call could have been about Tenon’s dog that was left at the rental property owned by Fernandez. Butler responded that she did not know what was discussed on that call.

The state also called David Ostertag with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Daniel Hausdorf with Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Ostertag also discussed the data retrieved from the cell phones of Fernandez and Tenon. Hausdorf testified about the ballistics connected to the scene.