Orange County judge convicted of drunkenly killing wife faces sentencing

"An Orange County Superior Court judge who was convicted of shooting his wife to death during an argument is set to be sentenced today, according to prosecutors. Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was convicted in April of fatally shooting his 65-year-old wife, Sheryl, during a drunken argument over money at their Anaheim Hills home on Aug. 3, 2023. During his testimony, Ferguson admitted that he was an alcoholic and that he had been drinking that day. The couple had been married for 27 years."

""Instead of rendering aid to his wife, Sheryl, after shooting her as they sat in their living room watching television, Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, then 72, went outside and texted his court bailiff and clerk: 'I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won't be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I'm so sorry,'" the district attorney's office said in a written statement released following his conviction."

"Jurors convicted Ferguson on one felony count of murder and one felony enhancement of personal use of a firearm, as well as one felony enhancement of discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. Ferguson faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The couple's son tackled his father to wrestle the gun away, and performed CPR on his mother while being directed by emergency dispatchers, prosecutors said."

Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was convicted in April of fatally shooting his 65-year-old wife, Sheryl, during a drunken argument over money at their Anaheim Hills home on Aug. 3, 2023. Ferguson admitted alcoholism and that he had been drinking that day. Jurors found him guilty of murder and firearm enhancements after a retrial following a mistrial. He faces a maximum of 40 years to life. After the shooting he texted court staff admitting he had shot his wife. The couple's son wrestled the gun away and performed CPR. Video showed an inebriated Ferguson seeking the death penalty and predicting he would burn in hell.

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