In a controversial case, an Orange County jury could not reach a verdict on second-degree murder charges against Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who shot his wife Sheryl amid a quarrel fueled by alcohol. The jury's split was 11 to 1 in favor of conviction after Ferguson claimed the gun discharge was accidental. His admitted alcoholism and high blood alcohol level at the time raised questions about culpability. Ferguson expressed profound remorse following the incident, contemplating his son's trauma from witnessing the shooting, while recharacterizing their relationship during the trial.
Ferguson acknowledged his alcoholism during the proceedings, admitting that on the day of the incident, he had been drinking heavily, with a blood alcohol level significantly above the legal limit.
After killing his wife, Ferguson expressed deep regret and guilt, wishing for death, showing a profound understanding of the gravity of his actions when he predicted burning in hell.
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