A jury is deliberating the fate of Jeffrey Ferguson, a former Orange County judge accused of fatally shooting his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, in 2023. While Ferguson claims the shooting was accidental, prosecutors argue it was a premeditated murder fueled by alcohol and rage.
The trial centers on conflicting accounts of what happened the night of August 3, 2023, when Ferguson’s son called 911, reporting that his father had shot his mother inside their Anaheim Hills home.
The Prosecution’s Case: A Deliberate Killing
Key Prosecution Arguments:
Text Message Confession – Ferguson texted his court clerk and bailiff:
“I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
✔ Alcohol & Anger – Prosecutors claim Ferguson was drunk and enraged after arguing with his wife.
✔ Gun Was Fired Intentionally – Prosecutors allege he pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger, not that it accidentally discharged.
Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt’s Closing Argument:
“He describes what he just did. We all know what this means. He lost his temper and shot his wife.”
Hunt also dismissed Ferguson’s claim that his shoulder injury caused him to accidentally fire the weapon, stating that police footage later showed him using his arm without issue.
The Defense’s Case: A Tragic Accident
Ferguson’s Defense Team Argues:
- He was reaching to put the gun away when it slipped and fired.
- His shoulder injury caused an involuntary movement, leading to the accidental discharge.
- He felt immense guilt, even telling detectives he deserved the death penalty.
“He said, ‘I didn’t mean to kill her,’” defense attorney Cameron Talley told jurors. “That’s what the evidence will prove in this case.”
Key Defense Evidence:
- Surveillance video from the home allegedly shows no visible muzzle flash, suggesting an accidental misfire.
- The angle of the bullet wound aligns with the claim that Ferguson was setting the gun down, not aiming it.
Talley Challenges the Prosecution’s “Drunken Rage” Theory:
“He’s not mad. Where’s this drunken rage coming from?”
What Led to the Shooting? A Family Argument Turns Deadly
The couple’s argument that night reportedly stemmed from their financial support of Ferguson’s adult son, Kevin, from a previous marriage.
- Sheryl Ferguson was upset that Kevin didn’t show appreciation for $2,000 Ferguson had sent him.
- She was also frustrated that Kevin and their son, Phillip, did not have a closer relationship.
- The argument continued over dinner at a Mexican restaurant and later at home.
“What annoyed her was he didn’t express his appreciation or gratitude,” Ferguson testified. “She had hopes that Kevin and Phillip would have a stronger family bond.”
The Moments Before the Shooting: Conflicting Stories
Prosecution’s Version:
- Sheryl Ferguson allegedly taunted her husband, saying:“Why don’t you point a real gun at me?”
- In a fit of anger, Ferguson shot her.
Defense’s Version:
- Sheryl asked him to put the gun away.
- As he reached to place it behind books, his shoulder pain caused a reflexive movement.
- The gun misfired as he tried to prevent it from falling.
Ferguson’s Testimony:
“I was setting it down… I reached out, and my arm failed. My finger must have hit the trigger.”
Prosecution Calls Ferguson’s Testimony “Strategic”
Prosecutors argue Ferguson’s years as a judge and prosecutor gave him an advantage in crafting his story.
“That puts him in a unique position as a defendant—he knows how to answer certain questions, and how to evade others,” said Hunt.
The jury must now decide which version of events they believe.
