Southern California Judge Shoots Wife, Calls Work To Let Them Know ‘He Won’t Be In’
A Southern California judge was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife during a domestic argument while the couple watched television in their Anaheim Hills home.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was found guilty in the 2023 killing of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65. The jury also convicted him of a felony gun enhancement, and he now faces up to 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 13.
The verdict came after just one day of deliberations. Ferguson, who had taken the stand in his own defense, admitted to the shooting but claimed it was accidental. After the decision was announced, he was allowed a brief embrace with his son before being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Ferguson’s attorney, Cameron Talley, said the defense would appeal the conviction. “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.”
The case shook Orange County’s legal community, where Ferguson had worked for decades—first as a prosecutor, then as a judge beginning in 2015. The trial was moved to Los Angeles Superior Court to avoid a conflict of interest, with Judge Eleanor J. Hunter presiding. A previous jury was unable to reach a verdict in March, resulting in a mistrial.
“There are no winners here,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said during a post-verdict press conference. “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred on August 3, 2023, following an argument about finances that began at dinner and escalated at home while the couple was watching the TV show Breaking Bad with their adult son. They said Ferguson, who had been drinking, made a gun gesture at his wife during dinner. At home, she reportedly challenged him to use a real gun—and he did.
Ferguson claimed he was removing the weapon from his ankle holster to put it away when it accidentally discharged.
Immediately after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. Ferguson also sent a text to his court staff that read: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” His son, Phillip, testified that he wrestled the gun from his father and attempted CPR on his mother.
Bodycam footage showed Ferguson crying and telling officers that he had killed his wife, and that everyone, including his son, would hate him. He repeatedly asked to be convicted by a jury.
Authorities later found 47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the Ferguson home. Prosecutors emphasized the judge’s extensive firearms training, arguing that the shooting could not have been an accident.
“This was not an accident,” DA Spitzer said in a statement. “Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy.”
Ferguson, who had been free on $2 million bail, had not presided over cases since his arrest, in accordance with California’s constitution, which prohibits judges facing felony charges from hearing matters in court.
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