A mistrial was declared on March 11, 2025, in the case of Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who faced murder charges for fatally shooting his wife. The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, with 11 jurors favoring a guilty verdict for second-degree murder.
- Judge Jeffrey Ferguson charged with murder
- Mistrial declared due to non-unanimous verdict
- Eleven jurors favored second-degree murder conviction
- Shooting occurred during argument at home
- Defense claims accidental shooting, no intent to kill
- Extensive firearms found at Ferguson's residence
Judge Eleanor J. Hunter announced the mistrial after deliberations lasted over a week. Prosecutors are prepared to retry the case against the 74-year-old judge, who claimed the shooting was accidental during an argument at their home in Anaheim Hills.
The trial centered around events that occurred in August 2023 when Ferguson shot his wife Sheryl while they were watching television at home. Prosecutors argued that he had been drinking and displayed reckless behavior before the incident. Ferguson admitted to firing the weapon but insisted it was an accident as he fumbled with his gun while attempting to place it on a table.
Key points from the trial include:
- The couple had been married for 27 years.
- Ferguson acknowledged consuming alcohol during lunch prior to the incident.
- Authorities recovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition from Ferguson’s residence.
Following the mistrial announcement, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated that his office would consult with Sheryl’s family before deciding how to proceed. Meanwhile, Ferguson’s attorney expressed hope for a potential agreement due to his client’s age and support from family members who believe there was no intent to kill. This high-profile case has drawn significant attention within California’s legal community and raised questions about judicial conduct amid serious criminal allegations.
The outcome of this trial leaves open questions regarding accountability and justice in cases involving domestic incidents among public figures. The next steps will be crucial as both sides prepare for another round in court following this unresolved chapter.
