Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, of Orange County, is facing trial in a murder case involving his wife, Sheryl Ferguson. The incident occurred at their residence in Anaheim Hills, California on August 3, 2023, with allegations suggesting Ferguson shot his wife while under the influence of alcohol.
Prosecutors assert that the couple had a heated argument over financial matters that evening during a dinner outing. The disagreement escalated when they returned home, where Sheryl Ferguson supposedly dared her husband to point a gun at her. In response, Ferguson, who had a loaded firearm in his ankle holster, shot his wife in the chest in front of their adult son, Phillip.
Jurors at the trial were shown police bodycam footage where Ferguson can be heard admitting, “I killed her. I did it,” according to opening testimony by prosecutor Seton Hunt.
After the fatal shooting, Ferguson sent a text message to his court clerk and bailiff, stating: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
Both father and son contacted 911 following the incident, with Phillip removing the firearm from his father’s possession and attempting to perform CPR on his mother, who was unresponsive. The jury was shown bodycam footage of Ferguson being escorted out of his house in handcuffs.
“Never in my wildest dreams I thought I’d be sitting here in handcuffs,” Ferguson was heard saying as police asked about the status of his wife.
Ferguson’s defense attorney, Cameron Talley, does not dispute that his client shot and killed his wife but argues it was an accidental discharge of the firearm. The defense contends that during the altercation, Sheryl dared her husband to point a real gun at her after he mimicked a gun with his hand. According to them, Ferguson, an experienced gun owner, unintentionally fired the weapon.
Phillip Ferguson’s testimony could weaken the prosecution’s argument for premeditation. Court records show that Phillip did not see his father deliberately aim the gun at his mother, challenging some aspects of the prosecution’s case. The defense will call expert witnesses to discuss ballistics and psychological aspects related to the incident.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Ferguson had a collection of 47 firearms and around 26,000 rounds of ammunition at his home. Prosecutors also highlighted that Ferguson’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit for driving, and he violated his concealed carry permit by consuming alcohol that night.
A former prosecutor, Ferguson was initially released on $1 million bail which was later revoked when he consumed alcohol, violating his bail conditions. He has since been released on a higher bail of $2 million and is set to testify at his trial.
Ferguson’s career in the Orange County legal community spans a decade as an elected judge, after serving as a prosecutor. He currently faces felony charges and is not presiding over cases, but still receives his salary. If convicted, Ferguson may serve a 40-year to life sentence.
Ferguson, who has previously received disciplinary action for misconduct related to a judicial candidate and social media interactions, will have his case overseen by Los Angeles County Judge Eleanor J. Hunter to avoid conflict of interest. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
The charges against Ferguson include first-degree murder, firearm discharge causing death, and personal use of a firearm. The defense team has held back their opening statements, suggesting a strategic approach to interpreting the evidence as the trial progresses.
The presiding judge has cautioned Ferguson against visiting friends or former colleagues at the courthouse during trial breaks to prevent any perceived impropriety.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense lawyer remains optimistic that Ferguson will be cleared once all evidence has been presented, asserting that the shooting was a regrettable accident, not a premeditated act.
The trial in Orange County continues, with both prosecution and defense teams preparing to introduce further evidence and testimonies in the upcoming days. The jury’s task is to determine Ferguson’s guilt and, if applicable, the degree of his crime.