Inset: Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson (Anaheim Police Dept.). Background: Jeffrey Ferguson and Phillip Ferguson hugging in court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (KABC/YouTube).
A 74-year-old superior court judge in California was convicted of second-degree murder this week — following a mistrial in March — for murdering his wife in their home after a “drunken argument over money,” with prosecutors saying he confessed to the fatal shooting in a text to his court clerk and bailiff just minutes after the bloodshed.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was found guilty Tuesday after seven hours of jury deliberations over two days, according to local ABC affiliate KABC.
Prosecutors announced his conviction in a press release and described how Ferguson was arrested in August 2023 after his 22-year-old son, Phillip Ferguson, called 911 and reported that his mother had been shot. Phillip said Ferguson opened fire on his wife of 27 years, Sheryl Ferguson, 65, after she told him, “Why don’t you point a real gun at me?”
The statement came after Ferguson simulated pointing a gun at her during an argument at dinner, while they were at a nearby Mexican restaurant.
“Instead of rendering aid to his wife, Sheryl, after shooting her as they sat in their living room watching television, Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, then 72, went outside and texted his court bailiff and clerk,” the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.
“I just lost it. I just shot my wife,” Ferguson told his clerk and bailiff. “I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
After his verdict was read, Ferguson reportedly asked permission to hug and say goodbye to Phillip Ferguson.
“It’s OK,” he told him, according to KABC. “Be strong.”
As previously reported by Law&Crime, Ferguson used a loaded .40 caliber pistol, which he pulled from an ankle holster, to shoot his wife through the chest.
His lawyer, Paul Meyer, told Law&Crime earlier this year that the incident “was an accident and nothing more.”
Ferguson’s first trial ended with jurors failing to reach a unanimous verdict. His son testified at the second trial and described how a rift over the paternity of his older brother from years earlier had caused problems between the couple. He also recalled the moment he found his mom.
“Next thing I did was I jumped over the edge of the couch to get the gun from my dad,” Phillip Ferguson testified, according to the Daily Journal.
Describing his dad’s behavior that night after the fight and how he allegedly wanted to make things right, Phillip said: “He wasn’t raising his voice at her … he was apologizing.”
More from Law&Crime: ‘I had orders’: Man killed dad after fight over doing ‘dishes,’ told 911 he put his father ‘out of his misery,’ police say
When patrol officers made contact with Ferguson, he was still wearing the empty ankle holster and “he asked patrol officers to shoot him,” according to court documents obtained by Law&Crime. “He slurred words and smelled of alcohol,” the documents said.
Ferguson was captured on police body camera making obscenity-laced statements, including: “f— … f— … what the f— did I … well, I guess I’m done for a while … s—.”
During a search of his home, police found 47 guns — rifles, shotguns, and a handgun — and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition — all firearms he legally owned.
Ferguson, a former member of the U.S. Navy, started his legal career as a deputy district attorney in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, where he spent over 30 years. Until his arrest, Ferguson was assigned to handle preliminary hearing felony calendar cases in Orange County. He served as a judge since 2015 and was previously named Prosecutor of the Year four times by the Orange County Narcotic Officers Association.
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Jason Kandel and Jerry Lambe contributed to this report.
