by Los Angeles, CA – A former Orange County Superior Court judge, once respected in California’s legal community, has been sentenced to 35 years to life in prison for fatally shooting his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, during a heated argument over family finances.
The Sentencing
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter handed down the sentence against Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, who was convicted of second-degree murder with felony gun enhancements.
Judge Hunter, who presided over the case to avoid conflicts of interest in Orange County, called the evidence against Ferguson “absolutely overwhelming.”
That evidence included:
- A text message Ferguson sent to his court staff immediately after the shooting, stating, “I just lost it.”
- Video recordings of Ferguson speaking extensively while in custody about the shooting.
Although Ferguson faced a maximum sentence of 40 years to life, Judge Hunter reduced it by five years, citing his lack of prior criminal record and support from some of Sheryl’s family members. However, she criticized Ferguson for believing “the rules do not apply to him,” noting that he drank alcohol while carrying a firearm — even while out on bond when prohibited.
The Crime
The tragic shooting occurred in August 2023 at the Fergusons’ home in Anaheim Hills, California.
Prosecutors said the longtime judge and former criminal prosecutor pulled a gun from his ankle holster and fired the fatal shot after arguing with his wife at a restaurant earlier in the evening and later at home while the couple watched Breaking Bad.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer described the killing as “cold-blooded murder,” rejecting Ferguson’s repeated claims that the shooting was accidental.
Reaction From Both Sides
During sentencing, Ferguson expressed sorrow, saying:
“I understand the jury’s verdict, but it was a horrific accident. I have enormous grief not for myself alone but for my son, Phillip, and Sheryl’s brothers.”
Prosecutors argued otherwise, maintaining the killing was deliberate.
DA Todd Spitzer emphasized that due to Ferguson’s age, “He most likely, with this sentence, will never see freedom.”
A Shocking Fall From Grace
The case stunned Orange County’s legal community, where Jeffrey Ferguson had worked for decades and was widely known. His conviction marked a dramatic downfall for a man who once presided over courtrooms and shaped criminal cases.
Now, instead of sitting on the bench, Ferguson faces life behind bars — a reminder of how quickly personal choices can unravel both a career and a family.
Do you think Judge Ferguson’s sentence was fair, or should he have received the maximum 40 years to life? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
