Mistrial Declared in Murder Trial of Orange County Judge Jeffrey Ferguson

Jurors deadlocked 11-1 in case involving fatal shooting of his wife.

A mistrial was declared Monday in the trial of Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who was charged with the fatal shooting of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, at their Anaheim Hills residence. After more than 32 hours of deliberation, the jury remained deadlocked, with 11 of the 12 jurors favoring a conviction for second-degree murder. 

The incident occurred on August 3, 2023, following a dinner outing where the couple reportedly argued. Upon returning home, the dispute escalated while they watched television with their adult son. Prosecutors alleged that Judge Ferguson, who had been drinking, retrieved a handgun from his ankle holster during the argument, resulting in the fatal shooting of his wife. Ferguson claimed the shooting was accidental, stating he fumbled the firearm due to a shoulder injury while attempting to place it on a table. 

Evidence presented during the trial included a text message Ferguson sent to his court clerk and bailiff shortly after the incident, stating, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” Additionally, authorities recovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition from Ferguson’s home. 

The case has garnered significant attention within the legal community, as Judge Ferguson, 74, has been a prominent figure in Orange County’s judiciary since 2015. He is currently barred from presiding over cases due to the felony charge. 

A retrial is tentatively scheduled to commence on April 7 or May 19, pending further proceedings. If convicted of second-degree murder, Ferguson faces a sentence of 40 years to life in prison.