Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson has been convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife Sheryl following a heated argument at their home in.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was found guilty of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife Sheryl during an argument at their Anaheim Hills home.
- The judge faces 40 years to life in prison with sentencing scheduled for June 13.
- Ferguson claimed the shooting was accidental, but prosecutors successfully argued that his firearms experience and training contradicted this defense.
- Authorities discovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at Ferguson’s residence.
- A previous trial ended in a mistrial when the jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction.
From Judge to Defendant: Ferguson’s Fall from the Bench
The legal community in Southern California has been shaken as one of its own now faces decades behind bars. Jeffrey Ferguson, who served as an Orange County Superior Court Judge since 2015 after a lengthy career as a prosecutor, was convicted of second-degree murder following the fatal shooting of his wife Sheryl at their Anaheim Hills home. The jury also found Ferguson guilty of a felony gun enhancement, which significantly increases his potential sentence to a maximum of 40 years to life in prison.
Ferguson had been free on $2 million bail throughout the proceedings but was immediately taken into custody following the verdict, which came after just one day of jury deliberations. The conviction marks a dramatic downfall for a man who once presided over criminal cases but now finds himself on the opposite side of the judicial system.
California judge, Jeffrey Ferguson, who shot his wife and admitted the shooting found GUILTY and convicted of murder
“I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
He now faces a sentence of 40 years to life in prison pic.twitter.com/aDyhwmjzgN
— Nonewnews (@xNoNewNews) April 23, 2025
The Fatal Night: Alcohol, Arguments, and a Loaded Weapon
According to evidence presented during the trial, the fatal incident occurred after Ferguson had been drinking and arguing with his wife about finances. The dispute, which began earlier at a restaurant and continued at their home, escalated dramatically when Ferguson retrieved his .40-caliber Glock handgun from an ankle holster. Despite his defense team’s insistence that the shooting was accidental, prosecutors painted a picture of a man who knew exactly what he was doing with a weapon he was extensively trained to handle.
The couple’s adult son testified that he disarmed his father and attempted CPR on his mother after the shooting. In a damning piece of evidence, Ferguson texted his court clerk and bailiff after the incident, stating, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife,” according to prosecutors. This admission of guilt, coupled with Ferguson’s extensive firearms training and experience, made his claim of an accidental discharge difficult for jurors to believe.
A Judge’s Double Life: Alcohol and Firearms
The investigation following the shooting revealed troubling details about Ferguson’s private life. Police discovered an arsenal of 47 weapons and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition at his residence. Perhaps even more concerning were revelations during the trial that Ferguson had regularly consumed alcohol during lunch breaks before returning to hear cases from the bench, prompting a review of his past judicial decisions.
The case has proven emotionally challenging for many involved. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, who had known the Fergusons for decades, described the proceedings as particularly difficult. The judge’s defense attorney, Cameron Talley, expressed respect for the jury’s verdict while maintaining his belief in Ferguson’s innocence, stating, “I respect the jury’s verdict. At the same time, we all know that juries don’t always get it right… I still believe in Jeff.” The defense team has already announced plans to appeal the conviction.
Justice Through Perseverance: A Second Trial Brings Conviction
The guilty verdict came during Ferguson’s second trial, after the first ended in a mistrial when jurors deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction. To ensure impartiality, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter was appointed to preside over the case, removing it from the potential influence of Ferguson’s former colleagues in the Orange County judicial system. Ferguson’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 13, where he faces the possibility of spending the remainder of his life behind bars.
Sources:
Jury convicts California judge of second-degree murder in wife’s death, prosecutor’s office says
Jury convicts a California judge of second-degree murder in his wife’s shooting death
Southern California judge found guilty of fatally shooting wife
