Last Monday, a Superior Court judge in California was arrested on suspicion of killing his wife in front of their adult son. According to court papers, the judge had more than 47 weapons and 26,000 rounds of ammunition.
According to court filings, Ferguson pulled a.40-caliber pistol from his ankle holster and shot his wife, Sheryl, in the chest in their Anaheim living room, in front of their adult son.
Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, is accused of murder with two felony enhancements: personal firearm use and discharge of a weapon causing severe bodily harm and death.
If proven guilty, he may face up to 40 years in jail or execution. He was released after posting a $1,000,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on September 1.
More: According to authorities, an Orange County judge has been arrested in connection with his wife’s death.
In court filings, prosecutors believe that Jeffrey Ferguson shot and murdered his wife at close range while under the influence of alcohol.
Documents show that the shooting began with an incident at a restaurant near their home earlier in the evening.
According to court filings, while out to dinner with his wife, the judge allegedly stabbed her finger “in a manner mimicking a firearm.”
Back at their residence, with their child still there, the parents fought for an hour. According to court records, the victim answered something to the effect of “why don’t you point a real gun at me?” about the dinner hand gesture.
He “retrieved his pistol from his ankle holster and shot [the] center mass,” as prosecutors alleged in court records concerning Jeffrey Ferguson.
The son called 911, claiming his drunken father shot his mother after a fight.
The son and paramedics tried but failed to stabilize the mother.
Shortly after the murder, Jeffrey Ferguson allegedly texted his court clerk and bailiff, stating, “I just lost it.” I accidentally murdered my wife after we exchanged firearms. I’m not going to work tomorrow. When this is over, I will be brought to jail. “I’m so sorry,” the defendant allegedly stated, which was recorded in court.
According to prosecutors, Jeffrey Ferguson was slurring his words and reeking of alcohol when he asked patrol officers to murder him. Documents also suggest that he “acknowledged culpability” via impromptu statements and comments.
The judge possessed 47 weapons (rifles, shotguns, and handguns) and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in his residence, according to the records, all of which were owned correctly by the judge. Defense lawyers later discovered and took another firearm from the house.
I’ve added it to the list. Jeffrey Ferguson’s registered 22-caliber rifle’s whereabouts are still unknown. According to court documents, neither the defense nor the police could find the handgun.
According to the documents, a Glock.40 pistol was located at the scene, along with a casing found on the floor.
Sheryl Ferguson was shot in the chest; the bullet exited through her back and became stuck in the wall behind her.
The judge had a blood alcohol percentage of 0.06 when a blood sample was collected from him approximately seven hours after the shooting, according to evidence given in court.
According to court records, the couple’s child informed police that he had “never witnessed domestic violence between his parents (prior to the night of); however, he also reported that he has witnessed many arguments and that [Jeffrey Ferguson] tends to be more heated when he drinks.”
The youngster also told authorities that his father, Jeffrey Ferguson, reportedly threatened suicide with a gun to his head a few years ago, but his mother was able to talk him out of it. The records reveal that a pistol was discharged once when Jeffrey Ferguson was alone in the lavatory, but the son feels this was an accident.
Prosecutors contend that before becoming a Superior Court judge in 2015, Ferguson served as a deputy district attorney in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for more than 30 years.
Ferguson must surrender his passport and surrender his concealed carry permit as part of his bail conditions. He is also prohibited from possessing any firearms. They also demanded that Ferguson wear an ankle bracelet, refrain from possessing or drinking alcohol, and remain in Orange, Riverside, or Los Angeles counties while the case was ongoing.
