Judge Jeffrey Ferguson’s Murder Trial Ends in Mistrial

A California judge accused of murdering his wife faces a potential retrial after jurors deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction, leaving both legal observers and family members divided over whether the fatal shooting was intentional or accidental.

Key Takeaways

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson’s murder trial ended in a mistrial with jurors deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction.
Ferguson admitted to shooting his wife Sheryl in August 2023 but claimed it was an accident exacerbated by his shoulder injury and alcohol consumption.
Prosecutors intend to retry the case while Ferguson remains free on $2 million bail with a hearing scheduled to determine next steps.
Authorities discovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in Ferguson’s home following the shooting.
Ferguson is currently not presiding over cases due to the felony charge, and his admitted alcoholism may trigger reviews of his past judicial decisions.

Mistrial Declared After Jury Deadlocks

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson faces an uncertain future after a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in his second-degree murder trial. The jurors deadlocked with an 11-1 split in favor of conviction for the August 2023 shooting death of his wife Sheryl in their Anaheim Hills home. The mistrial was declared after the jury indicated they could not overcome their impasse despite multiple days of deliberation. Ferguson, who has been on the bench since 2015, remains free on $2 million bail as prosecutors prepare for a potential retrial.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer made his position clear on pursuing another trial, stating, “11-1 for guilty … that is not a case you don’t retry.” Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that Ferguson intentionally shot his wife in anger after an argument, constituting second-degree murder. The defense team countered that the shooting was a tragic accident and did not involve criminal negligence. A hearing is scheduled to determine the next steps in the case, with a potential retrial expected to begin in April or May.

Ferguson’s Defense: A Tragic Accident

Throughout the trial, Ferguson’s defense centered on his claim that the shooting was accidental. His attorney, Cameron Talley, argued that Ferguson never intended to harm his wife of 22 years. Ferguson admitted to consuming alcohol before the incident and cited a shoulder injury as factors contributing to the unintentional discharge of the weapon. The defense presentation included testimony about Ferguson’s long marriage to Sheryl and their relationship dynamics. Notably, Sheryl Ferguson’s family has publicly stated they believe the shooting was accidental rather than murder.

Defense attorney Talley described Ferguson’s reaction to the mistrial, saying, “He wasn’t jubilant or elated, he was you know, he’s still pretty sad, Obviously, he lost his wife and so his life is still sort of ruined, and he still has another potential trial to field ahead.” The defense team reportedly hopes to reach an agreement with prosecutors to avoid another trial, citing Ferguson’s age and family support. Evidence presented during the trial showed Ferguson and his son both called 911 immediately after the incident.

Prosecution’s Case: Intent to Kill

The prosecution painted a different picture of the events leading to Sheryl Ferguson’s death. The shooting reportedly occurred during an argument, and he took out the gun when she “chided him to do so,” according to AP News. He acknowledged that he shot her but claimed it was accidental, while Senior Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt told jurors, “You have been presented with evidence — credible evidence — he took out the gun, he was angry. He took the gun out, pointed at her and killed her.” Video footage from the scene showed Ferguson’s reaction after the shooting, which prosecutors characterized as evidence of his culpability. The prosecution also highlighted that Ferguson had made a gun-like gesture before the shooting.

Following the shooting, Ferguson texted his court staff admitting to the incident, writing, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” This message, presented as evidence, was portrayed by prosecutors as an admission of intentional action rather than an accident. A police search of Ferguson’s home uncovered an arsenal of 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition, which raised questions about his relationship with firearms despite his professional background.

Judicial Career and Future Implications

Ferguson’s legal troubles have significant implications for his judicial career and past rulings. As a judge since 2015 with previous experience as a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office, Ferguson handled numerous criminal cases throughout his career. His admission of alcoholism during the trial has sparked concerns about his past judicial decisions, potentially leading to reviews of cases over which he presided. Ferguson is currently not presiding over cases due to the felony charge against him.

Prior to the shooting incident, Ferguson had been admonished for inappropriate conduct on social media related to judicial matters, adding another layer of complexity to his professional standing. With leadership roles in legal associations and a lengthy career in the justice system, Ferguson’s case has sent shockwaves through the Orange County legal community. The outcome of any retrial will ultimately determine not only his personal freedom but also the future of his judicial career and legacy.