Los Angeles, CA – Jeffrey Ferguson, a judge from the Orange County Superior Court, entered a not guilty plea to a murder charge on Friday. The charge stems from the alleged fatal shooting of his wife during a dispute in their Anaheim Hills residence last August.
The case is being prosecuted in Los Angeles due to Ferguson’s professional connections in Orange County. He has been free on bond since his arrest and attended the preliminary hearing which set the stage for a trial.
The incident, which took place on August 3, 2023, was initially reported to the Anaheim Police Department following a call about a shooting at the Ferguson home located on East Canyon Vista Drive. Upon arrival, the police discovered Ferguson’s wife, 65-year-old Sheryl Ferguson, dead from a gunshot wound.
Prosecution details reveal a grim picture of the events leading to Sheryl Ferguson’s death. It is alleged that after an argument at a nearby restaurant, the conflict continued at home. At one point, Jeffrey Ferguson is said to have mimicked holding a gun with his fingers at his wife, escalating to him allegedly retrieving a .40-caliber pistol from his ankle holster and shooting her.
Deputy District Attorney Christopher Alex reported that Ferguson was intoxicated during the incident, which ended in Sheryl Ferguson’s fatal shooting. Their son, who was present, immediately contacted emergency services. Ferguson allegedly resisted providing clear answers when confronted by a 911 dispatcher about the shooting.
In a shocking twist, Ferguson reportedly texted his court clerk and bailiff shortly after the incident, indicating he had shot his wife and expected to be in custody, a message initially perceived as a joke.
The police report also noted Ferguson appeared inebriated at the time of their arrival, slurring his speech. Further investigation revealed his blood alcohol concentration was 0.06%, recorded seven hours post-incident.
Historical issues of firearm handling surfaced, with past instances of Ferguson discharging a firearm under stress coming to light through his son’s testimony to the police. These allegations reveal a troubling pattern preceding the tragic event.
Jeffrey Ferguson’s legal career began after he graduated from UC Irvine and Western State College of Law. Before his appointment as a judge in 2015, he was highly regarded in the narcotics enforcement sector of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and had received several accolades for his work.
In another aspect of his life, Sheryl Ferguson was remembered for her active community engagement, including her contributions to the Boy Scouts and her work in probation departments before dedicating her time fully to motherhood.
As this case progresses, it continues to attract attention due to its dramatic elements and the high-profile nature of the individual involved. The community and legal observers alike await further developments as the judicial process unfolds for one of their own. The forthcoming trial, scheduled for September 20, is expected to provide more clarity and potentially, closure to a case that has shaken the local community.