Judge Jeffrey Ferguson of California is on trial for murder in connection with his wife’s shooting

Ferguson, a former judge, is on trial for allegedly shooting his wife after a furious dispute, but he claims it was an accident.

Accused of shooting his wife dead during a fight at their house, a once-respected Orange County judge is now at the heart of a high-profile murder prosecution. Longtime Superior Court judge and former prosecutor Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, is attempting to persuade a jury that the shooting was a tragic accident rather than a deliberate act.

The fact that Ferguson, a man who once stood up for the law, is now defending himself against accusations that might land him in a life sentence has rocked California’s legal community.

The trial’s main focus is now the events of August 3, 2023. Ferguson apparently complained about money with his wife, Sheryl, when they were eating at a nearby restaurant that evening. As they watched Breaking Bad with their adult son, the argument persisted at home.

Sheryl reportedly reacted to Ferguson’s gun-hand motion during the altercation by challenging him to use a real one, according to the prosecution. Ferguson drew a loaded firearm from his ankle holster a few seconds later and fired one lethal shot.

However, his defense team contends that the shooting was not planned. Cameron J. Talley, Ferguson’s attorney, insists that although Ferguson fired the gun, he did not do it on purpose. Ferguson is anticipated to testify in his own defense, Talley said, adding that “this was a terrible accident, not a murder.”

Ferguson, a former criminal prosecutor, is now a defendant who must deal with the legal system from the opposite side of the courtroom.

Ferguson is shown outside his house in handcuffs, agitated, and repeatedly asking whether his wife is still alive in body-camera footage taken the night of the incident. He is heard stating, “I never imagined that I would be sitting here in handcuffs.”

Ferguson himself contacted 911 shortly after the incident. Additionally, he texted his court employees, saying, “I just lost it.” My wife was just shot by me. Tomorrow, I won’t be there. I’ll be detained. I’m so sorry.

Later, police found almost 26,000 rounds of ammo and 47 guns in his house. The defense maintains that Ferguson’s knowledge with firearms increases the likelihood that the shooting was an accident rather than a planned shooting, despite the prosecution’s claim that this demonstrates his extensive firearms experience.

Although he is still paid by California law, Ferguson, a judge for more than ten years, is not permitted to hear cases while his trial is pending. When he was jailed again for allegedly drinking alcohol in violation of his bail terms, his legal issues got worse. He was first freed on $1 million bond, but then had to post $2 million.

Phillip, his son, testified that Ferguson had taught him firearm safety for a long time and emphasized the significance of never aiming a weapon at someone else. According to Phillip, he tried to save his mother’s life by administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation after the shooting, jumped over the couch, and took the gun away from his father.

Ferguson fights for his life during the trial, claiming that his actions were those of a man who committed a grave error rather than a murderer. Whether this was an intentional act of violence, or a terrible accident will be decided by the jury.