Crime

Judge Charged With Murder: 'I Just Shot My Wife'

He's facing three felony charges.

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gavel gunEarlier this month, Above the Law reported on the arrest of Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, on suspicion of murder of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson. Sheryl was found dead from at least one gunshot wound inside their Anaheim Hills home. Now more details are emerging about the tragedy.

According to reporting by Law360, Sheryl Ferguson’s death was proceeded by an argument at a local restaurant. According to the government’s bail motion, during the public argument, Judge Ferguson pointed his finger at his wife in a manner that imitated a gun.

The argument continued for more than an hour when the couple returned home, accompanied by their son, the motion states. At some point, referencing the finger-pointing gesture at the restaurant, Sheryl Ferguson said, “Why don’t you point a real gun at me?” and Judge Ferguson then retrieved a Glock .40 pistol from his ankle holster and shot her, according to the bail motion.

Shortly after the shooting, the judge reportedly texted court staffers, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”

Ferguson faces up to 40 years to life in prison if convicted on three felony charges: murder,  enhancement of personal use of a firearm, and enhancement of discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. And Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer wants to add nonmonetary conditions to his bail:

“Although defendant lacks criminal history, it is also true that — given his age and sentencing exposure — he faces (and by virtue of his employment, is fully aware he faces) the realistic prospect that he will die in prison if convicted. Accordingly, reasonable and logical non-monetary conditions designed to mitigate flight risk are warranted,” Spitzer said in the bail motion filed Friday.

The judge’s attorneys, Paul Meyer and John Barnett, said in a statement, “This is a tragedy for the entire Ferguson family. It was an accident and nothing more.”

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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.

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