On Tuesday, Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife, Sheryl, during a heated argument in 2023. The jury deliberated for about eight hours before reaching a unanimous verdict.
Ferguson, 74, admitted to shooting his wife but claimed it was an accident. He testified that he was removing his Glock .40-caliber pistol from an ankle holster to place it on a table when it discharged. However, prosecutors argued that the shooting occurred during a drunken argument over family finances while the couple watched “Breaking Bad” with their adult son.
According to CNN, Ferguson texted his court clerk and bailiff immediately after the shooting, saying, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” His son, Phillip, testified that he tackled his father to wrestle the gun away and performed CPR on his mother.
The case, presided over by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter to avoid a conflict of interest, had previously ended in a mistrial. The Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated, “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
Ferguson, who had been out on $2 million bail, faces up to 40 years to life in prison when sentenced on June 13. His defense plans to appeal the verdict, maintaining that the shooting was accidental.
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