Santa Ana, Calif. — A California Superior Court judge, Jeffrey Ferguson, was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2023 shooting death of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson. This verdict, delivered by a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court, marks a significant turn in a case that has captured the attention of both the legal community and the public.
The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 3, 2023, when Ferguson and his wife reportedly argued over family finances while dining at a local Mexican restaurant. The altercation escalated at their home during a viewing of the TV show “Breaking Bad.” According to prosecutors, during the disagreement, Sheryl Ferguson taunted her husband to use a real gun after he made a gun-like gesture with his hand. Ferguson complied, retrieved a loaded gun, and fatally shot her.
Ferguson, who served on the bench in Orange County, testified that the shooting was accidental. He claimed he was attempting to place the gun on a table when he fumbled and unintentionally discharged it. Following the incident, Ferguson and his son, who was present at the time, immediately contacted emergency services. Ferguson also sent a text message to his court clerk and bailiff confessing to the shooting and stating his expectation of being taken into custody.
In a distressing confession captured on police video, Ferguson expressed remorse and predicted that his actions would cause his son and others to despise him. He pleaded for a jury to convict him, indicating his own acceptance of responsibility for the tragic event.
This trial was a retrial following a mistrial in March, declared by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter due to a jury deadlock. The choice to have Judge Hunter oversee this case was to avoid potential conflicts of interest, given Ferguson’s extensive connections within the Orange County legal system.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his conflicted emotions following the verdict. “There are no winners here,” Spitzer stated, acknowledging the gravity of the case which involves a former colleague. “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
Authorities highlighted the presence of 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition found in Ferguson’s home, emphasizing his extensive training and familiarity with firearms. Spitzer remarked, “This was not an accident. Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy.”
Prior to his arrest and trial, Ferguson had a distinguished career in law enforcement. He started as a prosecutor in 1983, focusing on narcotics cases and receiving various awards for his work before becoming a judge in 2015.
Despite his career achievements, Ferguson has been out on $2 million bail and barred from presiding over any court cases since receiving the felony charge, as mandated by the state constitution.
Ferguson’s attorney, Cameron Talley, has announced plans to appeal the conviction. Talley acknowledged the jury’s decision but reiterated his belief in Ferguson’s character and potential judicial error. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Talley said. “At the same time, we all know that juries don’t always get it right … I still believe in Jeff.”
This case not only reflects the personal trauma experienced by the Ferguson family but also sends ripples throughout the legal fraternity in Southern California, impacting public trust and perception.
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