In Santa Ana, California, the ongoing legal proceedings involving a Southern California judge accused of murdering his wife reached an impasse on Monday, resulting in a mistrial as the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. The mistrial was declared by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter in the case concerning 74-year-old Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson. Out of the twelve jurors, eleven were inclined to convict Ferguson of second-degree murder, prompting prosecutors to express readiness for a retrial.
During the trial, prosecutors claimed that in 2023, Ferguson shot his wife, Sheryl, while the couple was at home in Anaheim Hills, watching television post-argument. Ferguson admitted to the shooting, asserting it was accidental. To ensure impartiality, Judge Hunter, not directly affiliated with Orange County, presided over the case, and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday to determine the subsequent steps.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer indicated his office’s intention to review the case and consult with Sheryl Ferguson’s family prior to any further action. Spitzer remarked on the jury’s near-consensus, stating, “Eleven to one is a success in the world in which we operate,” and stressed the commitment to achieving justice.
Ferguson’s attorney, Cameron Talley, expressed hope for a possible resolution with prosecutors considering Ferguson’s age and the support he has received from his wife’s brother and their son. Talley emphasized the absence of intent on Ferguson’s part to kill his wife, noting the devastating impact on Ferguson’s life.
Larry Rosen, Sheryl Ferguson’s brother, expressed satisfaction with the trial’s outcome, doubting the incident qualified as murder. He conveyed that he and his siblings viewed the shooting as accidental and suggested a prosecutorial deal with Ferguson might be appropriate. “To me, it shows the jury, at least to some degree, is as conflicted as I am,” Rosen commented, questioning the murder classification.
The case has deeply affected the Orange County legal scene, a community with 3 million residents between Los Angeles and San Diego. Prosecutors presented evidence during the trial suggesting Ferguson was intoxicated when he gestured with a gun-like hand sign towards his wife during a quarrel over finances at a restaurant on August 3, 2023. They contended that upon returning home to watch “Breaking Bad” with their son Phillip, Ferguson drew a gun, allegedly encouraged by his wife’s provocation.
Ferguson admitted to discharging the firearm but characterized the incident as accidental. He explained he was extracting the gun from his customary ankle holster and inadvertently fired it while attempting to place it on a table. The trial venue was located approximately 10 miles from where Ferguson had presided over criminal cases, and the proceedings included video evidence of Ferguson interacting with law enforcement post-shooting, visibly distressed and declaring that his son and everyone else would despise him.
After the shooting, both Ferguson and his son contacted 911, and Ferguson reportedly sent a message to his court staff admitting to the shooting and acknowledging the immediate consequences. Moreover, authorities unearthed an arsenal of 47 firearms, including the one used in the shooting, along with over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at Ferguson’s residence. His extensive background as a prosecutor with expertise in firearms and gun violence cases underscored the case’s gravity.
Ferguson, appointed as a judge in 2015, is presently precluded from courtroom duties due to the felony charge. Retrospective reviews of cases presided over by Ferguson could be initiated by the Orange County District Attorney’s office, following revelations that Ferguson consumed alcohol during work hours, which he admitted during his testimony. Ferguson’s legal trajectory began in the district attorney’s office in 1983, specializing in narcotics and distinguished by various commendations.