Judge’s Fate Sealed After Shocking Incident with Spouse Ends Tragically

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was found guilty of murdering his wife during a drunken argument, revealing a private life starkly at odds with his public position of justice and authority.

Quick Takes

Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife Sheryl in their Anaheim Hills home.
Ferguson faces 40 years to life in prison with sentencing scheduled for June 13.
The conviction came after a retrial, as an earlier jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of a guilty verdict.
Ferguson claimed the shooting was accidental, but prosecutors successfully argued he intentionally shot his wife during an argument over finances.
Authorities found 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at Ferguson’s home, highlighting his extensive firearms experience.

From the Bench to Behind Bars

The conviction of Judge Jeffrey Ferguson marks a stunning fall from grace for the Orange County Superior Court official who now faces decades behind bars for killing his wife. Ferguson, who had served as a judge since 2015 after a lengthy career as a prosecutor, was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting his wife Sheryl in the chest with a .40-caliber Glock handgun during an argument in their Anaheim Hills home. The jury reached their verdict after only one day of deliberations, adding a felony gun enhancement that brings Ferguson’s potential sentence to 40 years to life.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, who revealed he had known the Fergusons for decades, delivered a pointed statement following the verdict. “This was not an accident. Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy,” remarked Spitzer.

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

A Family Tragedy Unfolds

The fatal shooting followed an argument between the couple that began at a restaurant earlier that day. According to prosecutors, Ferguson had been drinking heavily when the dispute over family finances erupted at home. Their adult son testified during the trial that he disarmed his father and attempted CPR on his mother after the shooting. In the immediate aftermath, Ferguson texted his court clerk and bailiff, saying “I just lost it. I just shot my wife,” according to evidence presented at trial.

Ferguson’s defense maintained throughout both trials that the shooting was accidental, claiming the gun discharged while he was removing it from an ankle holster. His attorney, Cameron Talley, expressed disappointment with the outcome but acknowledged the jury’s decision, 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.”

A Judge’s Double Life

The trial revealed troubling aspects of Ferguson’s conduct as a judge. Evidence presented showed Ferguson consumed alcohol during lunch breaks before returning to hear cases, prompting a review of his past judicial decisions. Following his arrest, Ferguson had been out on $2 million bail but was barred from presiding over cases due to the felony charge. The case was tried in Los Angeles Superior Court to prevent potential bias from ties to Orange County’s legal system.

A search of Ferguson’s home following the shooting uncovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition, contradicting his claims of unfamiliarity with firearms. Prosecutors highlighted Ferguson’s extensive firearms training, further undercutting his defense that the shooting was accidental. Ferguson’s sentencing is scheduled for June 13, bringing a measure of closure to a case that has shocked California’s legal community and revealed the tragic consequences when domestic disputes turn deadly.