A Southern California judge’s trial began Monday with his attorney admitting he fired the shot that killed his wife but insisting it was an accident, not murder. Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, now facing a murder charge for the August 2023 death of his wife, Sheryl, sat in a Santa Ana courtroom just miles from where he once presided, as his defense outlined a case of unintended tragedy.
At a glance:
- Ferguson’s lawyer says the judge accidentally shot his wife while drunk, fumbling a gun.
- The shooting followed an argument about finances while watching “Breaking Bad” at home.
- Prosecutors claim Ferguson intentionally fired after his wife dared him to point a real gun.
- Ferguson, a judge for a decade, has pleaded not guilty and is expected to testify.
Defense Paints a Picture of Mishap
Defense attorney Cameron J. Talley told jurors Monday that Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, didn’t mean to kill his wife, Sheryl, when a bullet from his ankle-holstered gun struck her in their Anaheim Hills home. Talley described Ferguson as an alcoholic who’d been drinking that August 2023 night during a family finance spat that started at a Mexican restaurant and continued as they watched “Breaking Bad” with their son, Phillip. Removing his ever-present gun to set it on a table, Ferguson “fumbled” it, Talley said, and as he grabbed it, “it went off with a ‘bang.’” “He’s in shock,” Talley added, calling it an “accidental discharge” clouded by Ferguson’s intoxication. The judge, once a narcotics prosecutor, has pleaded not guilty and sat quietly—though teary—about 10 miles from his old Fullerton courtroom, awaiting his chance to testify this week.
Ferguson’s past includes a stellar legal career since 1983, with awards for narcotics cases and a stint as North Orange County Bar Association President from 2012 to 2014. Yet, he’s been off the bench since his arrest, still drawing his salary under California law despite the felony charge. Released on $1 million bail in 2023, he was re-arrested last year for lying about drinking—a bail violation—before posting $2 million to get out again. Los Angeles Judge Eleanor J. Hunter, presiding to avoid conflicts, warned Ferguson against sobbing on the stand, saying, “He’s got to control himself.”
Prosecution and Aftermath
Prosecutor Seton Hunt countered that Ferguson’s actions were deliberate, noting he’d made a gun-hand gesture at Sheryl during their restaurant argument. At home, after she chided him to “point a real gun at her,” Hunt said Ferguson did just that and pulled the trigger.
Police footage shown to jurors captured Ferguson’s despair, saying, “I killed her,” and “I did it,” begging for conviction. He texted his court clerk and bailiff, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry,” Hunt revealed.
Both Ferguson and Phillip called 911, and authorities found 47 weapons—including the Glock used—and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at the home. Phillip testified his father, with ample firearms training, taught him gun safety, like pointing weapons safely—casting doubt on the accident claim for a jury now weighing a veteran judge’s fate.
