California decide convicted of second-degree homicide for fatally capturing his spouse

[ad_1] A Southern California decide was convicted Tuesday of second-degree homicide for the deadly capturing of his spouse throughout an argument.

Orange County Superior Courtroom Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was on trial for the 2023 killing of his spouse Sheryl, 65, of their Anaheim Hills residence. Ferguson took the stand in his protection and admitted to capturing his spouse however claimed it was an accident.

Jurors reached their resolution Tuesday afternoon after deliberating because the day earlier than. He was additionally discovered responsible of a felony gun enhancement and faces a most of 40 years to life in jail when he's sentenced June 13.

As soon as the decision was learn in court docket, Ferguson was seen hugging his son earlier than he was handcuffed and brought into custody.

JUDGE DECLARES MISTRIAL IN CASE AGAINST CALIFORNIA JUDGE ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS WIFE

Orange County Superior Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, left, embraces his son, Phillip Ferguson, earlier than being led away in handcuffs on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Santa Ana, California. (AP)

Ferguson's legal professional, Cameron Talley, stated the protection plans to attraction the decision.

"I respect the jury's verdict," Talley stated. "On the similar time, everyone knows that juries do not at all times get it proper ... I nonetheless consider in Jeff."

The decision comes after a earlier jury deadlocked final month and Los Angeles Superior Courtroom Decide Eleanor J. Hunter declared a mistrial. Hunter was overseeing the case to keep away from a battle of curiosity with the Superior Courtroom in Orange County, the place Ferguson presided over felony instances earlier than the capturing.

Prosecutors stated Ferguson and his spouse had an argument about funds at a restaurant on Aug. 3, 2023, when he made a gun-like hand gesture towards her. They continued their argument once they returned residence as they watched TV with their grownup son, and Ferguson's spouse chided him to level an actual gun at her. He obliged, pulling a pistol from his ankle holster earlier than capturing her within the chest.

Ferguson was drunk on the time, in response to prosecutors.

Orange County Superior Courtroom Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, proper, along with his legal professional's Cameron Talley, middle, and Frances Prizzia, left, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Santa Ana, California. (AP)

He testified that he was pulling the gun from his ankle holster to put it on a desk when he fumbled it and it discharged.

After the capturing, Ferguson and his son each referred to as 911, and Ferguson texted his court docket clerk and bailiff confessing to the killing.

"I simply misplaced it. I simply shot my spouse. I gained’t be in tomorrow. I will probably be in custody. I’m so sorry," Ferguson wrote.

His son Phillip testified that he tackled his father to wrestle the gun away after the capturing and that he carried out CPR on his mom.

Ferguson spoke with police exterior his residence and once more when he was in custody. He was seen on video sobbing and saying his son and everybody would hate him. He additionally admitted he killed his spouse and requested for a jury to convict him.

CALIFORNIA JUDGE WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED HIS WIFE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NEARLY $250K SALARY

Orange County Superior Courtroom Decide Jeffrey Ferguson is consoled by his legal professional, Cameron Talley, after the decision was learn Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Santa Ana, California. (AP)

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Authorities stated they discovered 47 weapons, together with the gun used within the capturing, and greater than 26,000 rounds of ammunition within the residence. They stated Ferguson had expertise and coaching in firearms.

"This was not an accident. Ferguson was skilled to by no means level a gun at something he didn’t intend to destroy," Orange County District Legal professional Todd Spitzer stated in a press release.

Ferguson was a prosecutor earlier than he grew to become a decide in 2015.

He had been out on $2 million bail however was not presiding in court docket because the state structure prohibits a decide dealing with a felony charge from listening to instances.