In a Southern California courtroom, a jury found Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson guilty of second-degree murder for the shooting death of his wife, Sheryl, during a domestic dispute. The tragic incident took place in August 2023 at their residence in Anaheim Hills, where the couple was arguing while watching television.
Ferguson, aged 74, took the stand in his own defense, claiming the lethal shooting was accidental, yet the jury rendered their verdict after just over a day’s deliberation. Following the announcement of the verdict, Ferguson was given a moment to embrace his son before being handcuffed and led away. Along with the murder conviction, he was also found guilty of a felony gun enhancement, which could result in a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison at his sentencing in June.
Defense attorney Cameron Talley expressed intentions to appeal the verdict, citing respect for the jury’s decision but highlighting his continued belief in Ferguson’s innocence. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Talley commented. “However, we all recognize that juries do not always deliver an accurate outcome.”
The case had previously ended in a mistrial in March due to a jury deadlock, prompting Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter to preside over the retrial to prevent conflicts of interest with the Orange County court, where Ferguson used to hear criminal cases. The case has sent ripples through the legal community in Orange County, who have been linked professionally with Ferguson over his lengthy career.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer shared his thoughts post-verdict, noting, “There are no winners here. While justice was served, my thoughts are with the Ferguson family.” During the trial, it was revealed that the couple quarreled over family finances at a restaurant on the day of the shooting. Their dispute continued at home in front of their son during a TV show, where Sheryl purportedly provoked Jeffrey to aim a real firearm, which he then discharged.
Ferguson’s testimony described an attempt to place the gun on a table after drawing it from his ankle holster, claiming a fumbling led to its discharge. Right after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son contacted emergency services. In a flurry of texts sent post-incident, Ferguson informed court personnel of what transpired, expressing remorse and intending to submit to custody. His son, Phillip, testified to disarming his father and trying to save his mother’s life.
Video footage captured outside their home displayed a distraught Ferguson speaking to the police, remorsefully predicting the disapproval of his son and pleading with a jury for a conviction. Investigators uncovered an arsenal of 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition on their property, underscoring Ferguson’s knowledge and experience in firearms, which Spitzer emphasized while arguing the shooting was no accident.
Ferguson’s storied legal career began in 1983 as a prosecutor, earning accolades for his efforts on narcotics cases before being appointed as a judge in 2015. Released previously on $2 million bail, Ferguson has not been officiating cases, adhering to state constitutional rules that preclude a judge under felony charges from serving in the court.