A judge from Orange County, Jeffrey Ferguson, is currently on trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson. During his testimony, the 74-year-old judge claimed that the shooting was an accident.
Ferguson, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, testified on February 24. He described the events of August 3, 2023, when the incident occurred involving his wife of 27 years. According to reports, Ferguson acknowledged that he broke the rules of his concealed carry permit by consuming alcohol while carrying a weapon. However, he firmly denied any intention to harm his wife, stating in court, “I didn’t mean to kill her. It was an accident.”
The prosecution argued that there had been a heated argument between the couple. They claimed Ferguson had imitated a gun gesture with his finger, prompting his wife to challenge him to use a real gun. It is alleged that he then retrieved his firearm from an ankle holster and shot her.
In contrast, Ferguson painted a different picture during his testimony. He admitted that prior to the incident, he and his wife had quarreled at a restaurant concerning financial support for his son from a previous marriage. He revealed that he had consumed several drinks that evening, which affected his state of mind. When asked if he considered himself an alcoholic, he replied, “I drank too much and was in denial so I suppose I was.”
After returning home, the couple attempted to unwind by watching television. Ferguson claimed he tried to resolve their issues, but his wife remained unyielding. He stated that after drinking, he mistakenly thought he heard his wife ask him to put the gun away.
Ferguson then attempted to place the gun on the coffee table to calm the situation. He described struggling with the firearm due to his physical condition, stating, “My arm failed, I got a shooting pain and my arm dropped.” He testified that when he reflexively grabbed the gun, it accidentally discharged.
He recalled seeing a surprised expression on his wife’s face before she collapsed. Following the incident, his son tackled him and urged him to release the gun, after which Ferguson asked him to call for emergency help.
Ferguson is facing serious charges that include murder and firearm-related enhancements after police found his 65-year-old wife dead at home. His trial will continue on February 25.
