“Southern California Judge Charged with Murder After Admitting to Shooting Wife via Text Messages, Prosecutors Say”
“SANTA ANA, Calif. – A judge in Southern California, accused of killing his wife during an alcohol-fueled argument, reportedly sent text messages to his court clerk and bailiff admitting to shooting her. Prosecutors officially charged him with murder on Friday.
According to a court document filed by prosecutors, Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson sent the following text shortly after the incident last week: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
Ferguson is currently out on $1 million bail. However, prosecutors are requesting revised bail conditions to safeguard public safety and prevent him from fleeing. This comes after authorities discovered 47 firearms, including the handgun used in the shooting, and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at his residence in Anaheim. Although the firearms are legally owned, a rifle registered in his name remains missing, officials stated.
“Restaurant Dispute Leads to Fatal Shooting: Orange County Court Filing Reveals Disturbing Details”
The shooting transpired subsequent to a dispute between Ferguson and his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, at a restaurant on August 3, as detailed by the Orange County district attorney’s office in the court filing. The altercation persisted after the couple returned to their residence in the upscale Anaheim Hills neighborhood. According to the court document, during the confrontation, the wife made a remark akin to “why don’t you use a real gun on me?” He then pulled a pistol from his ankle holster and fired, striking her in the chest.
According to the document, their adult son called 911 and reported that his father had consumed too much alcohol and shot his mother.