Judge Accused of Killing His Wife Breaks Down in Court
In a highly emotional murder trial, a judge has been accused of fatally shooting his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, following a violent argument.
The trial has attracted significant attention, especially within the legal community in Orange County.
Jeffrey Ferguson, an Orange County Superior Court judge, is facing charges after allegedly shooting his wife during a drunken dispute at their home in August 2023.
A Night of Conflict That Ended in Tragedy
The argument began during dinner at a local restaurant and continued later at home while the couple and their adult son watched Breaking Bad.
According to prosecutor Seton Hunt, the tension escalated when Ferguson made a gun gesture toward his wife.
In response, Sheryl reportedly dared him to “point a real gun” at her.
Ferguson, seemingly accepting the challenge, retrieved a loaded gun from his ankle holster and fatally shot her, authorities claim.
The situation turned even more tragic when both Ferguson and their son, Phillip, called 911.
In footage captured by police body cameras, Ferguson admits to the crime.
“I killed her,” he was heard saying, “I did it.” Despite this, Ferguson pleaded not guilty to murder, insisting the shooting was an accident.
The Emotional Trial and Shocking Evidence
The trial officially began this week, with intense moments in court.
Prosecutor Hunt presented disturbing crime scene photos showing Sheryl’s body next to the fireplace, blood streaming down her face.
To avoid a conflict of interest, a judge from Los Angeles County is overseeing the trial, as Ferguson was once a member of the Orange County court system.
Ferguson, now 74, attended the proceedings dressed in a gray suit jacket and glasses.
His lawyer, Cameron Talley, has not yet made an opening statement but has previously emphasized that the shooting was an unintentional act, not a deliberate crime.
Calls to 911 and Police Findings
When the police arrived at the scene, Ferguson was visibly intoxicated.
He made comments expressing disbelief over the shooting, saying, “Oh man, I can’t believe I did this.
” Furthermore, Ferguson had texted his court clerk and bailiff, admitting to the crime and expressing regret: “I just lost it.
I just shot my wife.
I won’t be in tomorrow.
I will be in custody.
I’m so sorry.”
In addition to the tragic event, authorities discovered a troubling collection of weapons and ammunition at Ferguson’s home—47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition.
Legal Consequences and Controversies
Ferguson was arrested shortly after the shooting and initially released on a $1 million bail.
However, after violating the conditions of his release by allegedly drinking while out on bond, he was taken back into custody.
He was later released again in October 2024, this time on a $2 million bail.
As an elected judge, Ferguson was temporarily suspended from hearing cases after the incident.
Though he still receives a salary, he has been removed from the court’s official roster.
Ferguson has had a long career in the legal field, beginning in the Orange County District Attorney’s office in 1983, where he worked on narcotics cases.
He was even awarded for his work in this area and served as president of the North Orange County Bar Association from 2012 to 2014.
However, his reputation has been tarnished by controversies, including a 2017 reprimand from the Commission on Judicial Performance for posting a misleading statement about a judicial candidate on Facebook and for having Facebook friends who were attorneys appearing before him in court.
Ferguson’s background includes a childhood spent in a military family, extensive travel through Asia, and a college and law school education in California.
He married his wife, Sheryl, in 1996.
This trial is still ongoing, with many awaiting to see how the case will unfold.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn