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Judge Jeffrey Ferguson has been charged with murder after she fatally shot his wife over an argument in 2023
Judge Jeffrey Ferguson shot her wife amid an argument. The woman’s last words were “he shot me”.
(Representative Image)
Orange County Superior Court judge Jeffrey Ferguson is being tried for fatally shooting her wife at their Anaheim Hills home in 2023.
74-year-old Ferguson has been charged with murder after he shot her wife Sheryl on August 3, 2023, after a heated argument broke out between the two.
According to the prosecution, the act was intentional, however, the defence argued that the shootout was accidental.
“It was an accident in that he did not intend to shoot his wife that night, and the gun accidentally discharged,” said defence attorney Cameron Talley.
The judge was also recorded confessing his crime on a police body-camera footage in which he was heard saying, “I killed her I did it.”
The footage was produced before the jurors by the prosecution. The man also allegedly sent a text to his co-workers which read, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
Here’s How The Tragic Incident Unfolded
Prosecutor Seton Hunt informed that Ferguson was drinking on the fateful day. He said that the judge returned home at about 3:30 pm and had consumed a beer and a rum and coke.
The couple had started arguing over finances while having dinner at El Cholo restaurant in Anaheim Hills and had continued with the dispute at their home in Anaheim Hills.
“They got into a heated argument about finances and lifestyle choices,” said Hunt.
The couple also fought over their 37-year-old son Kevin and his finances. They were accompanied by their second son Phillip. Ferguson and Sheryl had been married for nearly 20 years, said Hunt.
“They had that argument about finances, about Kevin, about purchases he wanted to make,” he said. During the argument, the judge mimicked a gun using his hands and pointed at his wife.
When the two came back, their son Phillip asked why don’t they think of getting a divorce to which his father replied that he couldn’t afford it.
Phillip had a habit of watching “Breaking Bad” and the couple also joined him in watching an episode of “Breaking Bad” amid the argument, said the prosecutor.
“Sheryl tells the defendant to shut up,” said Hunt. As the argument continued to heat up, suddenly Phillip heard the gunshot and tried to tackle his father to retrieve the gun, he said.
“Sheryl’s last words were, ‘He shot me,”’ as per the prosecutor. Within seconds, the husband asked his son to call 911.
“Sheryl Ferguson’s life was taken from her by a man who had vast experience on guns, had owned guns for many years,” Hunt said in the court.
- Location :
California, USA
