(Image Credit: IMAGN)
Los Angeles, California – A California jury has convicted Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, during an argument at their Anaheim Hills home in August 2023.
Delivered Tuesday, the verdict came down following two days of deliberation by the jury. Ferguson, 72, was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody following the decision. He faces up to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 13.
The case stems from an argument between Ferguson and his wife over family finances, which began at a restaurant where the couple had dinner with their adult son. According to prosecutors, the argument escalated at home, where Ferguson—intoxicated at the time—pulled a .40-caliber Glock handgun from his ankle holster and shot Sheryl in the chest while the family was watching television.
Ferguson admitted to firing the gun but claimed it was an accident, saying he fumbled the weapon while trying to place it on a table. Prosecutors, however, cited his training and experience with firearms, arguing that the shooting was deliberate. Authorities later discovered 47 firearms and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition at the Ferguson home.
Immediately after the shooting, Ferguson and his 23-year-old son, Phillip, both called 911. Ferguson also sent a text message to his court bailiff stating, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
The verdict follows an earlier mistrial in March when a jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction. The retrial was overseen by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter to avoid conflicts with Orange County’s judiciary, where Ferguson previously presided over criminal cases.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer, who has known Ferguson and his family for decades, described the case as deeply emotional. “Jeff Ferguson took the life of Sheryl. He took her strength, her body, her will to live, and crushed it,” Spitzer said after the verdict.
Spitzer also announced plans to review cases Ferguson handled as a judge, particularly those where concerns may arise regarding his conduct or sobriety on the bench. Ferguson, who had been out on $2 million bail, has been suspended from hearing cases since the charges were filed, as mandated by the state constitution.
Ferguson’s attorney, Cameron J. Talley, said they intend to appeal the conviction.
