SANTA ANA, Calif. — The attorney representing a Southern California judge admitted in court that his client, Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, was responsible for the fatal shooting of his wife but argued that it was accidental. The shocking incident occurred in August 2023 during an argument between the couple regarding family finances while they were watching “Breaking Bad.”
Ferguson, 74, was present in the courtroom approximately 10 miles from his previous courthouse, awaiting his turn to testify in his own trial. He faces a murder charge in the death of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson.
During his opening statement, attorney Cameron J. Talley revealed that Ferguson, who has struggled with alcoholism, had been drinking when he accidentally discharged the firearm he typically carried in an ankle holster. Talley described the moment as a tragic mistake, emphasizing that Ferguson was in a state of shock and found the event surreal due to his intoxication.
The trial, which has drawn significant attention within the legal community in Orange County, is set against a backdrop of severe emotional turmoil. Prosecutors allege that Ferguson made a gun gesture toward his wife earlier in the evening during a dinner with their adult son, Phillip, which escalated into a domestic dispute once they returned home.
Ferguson was apprehended shortly after the incident, during which he reportedly expressed his remorse. “I killed her,” he was recorded saying to authorities.
Once a criminal prosecutor, Ferguson has shown signs of distress throughout the trial. The judge presiding over the case, Eleanor J. Hunter, has cautioned him to maintain composure while on the witness stand. Video evidence from police body cameras has been integral to the case, showing Ferguson’s emotional state following the tragic event.
Authorities discovered 47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at Ferguson’s residence, raising concerns about his familiarity with firearm safety. Despite his expertise, he allegedly violated firearm safety practices, culminating in the fatal shooting.
Following the incident, both Ferguson and his son called 911, with Ferguson sending a text message to his court staff expressing guilt about the shooting and indicating he would be unable to fulfill his judicial duties.
Initially released on a $1 million bail, Ferguson was rearrested after violating conditions of his release and is now out on a $2 million bail. Though he has served as a judge in Orange County for a decade, he is currently unable to hear cases while facing felony charges.
Ferguson’s legal career began in 1983, where he handled narcotics cases and received accolades for his work. However, he faced disciplinary action in 2017 for inappropriate social media conduct, bringing further scrutiny to his professional conduct in recent years.
