Drunk judge shoots wife dead, pleads not guilty
Judge Jeffrey Ferguson of the Orange County Superior Court in California has pleaded not guilty to the unintentional shooting of his wife while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The shocking details emerged during a court hearing on Tuesday.
According to prosecutors, the incident took place on August 3 when the couple was having an argument over dinner at a restaurant near their affluent Anaheim suburb home.
The dispute continued when they returned home, escalating to a point where Sheryl Ferguson, 65, apparently challenged her husband, saying, “Why don’t you point a real gun at me?”
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Reports state that in response, Judge Ferguson retrieved his pistol from his ankle holster and allegedly shot his wife at close range, resulting in her tragic death from a gunshot wound to the chest.
After calling 911 for assistance, Ferguson admitted to officers that he had “lost it” and confessed to shooting his wife. He also allegedly texted his court clerk and bailiff, expressing remorse and saying, “I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
During his arrest, the 72-year-old judge reportedly smelled strongly of alcohol and reportedly told the police, “Well, I guess I’m done for a while.” Upon conducting a search of his residence, authorities discovered 47 legally held firearms and an arsenal of 26,000 rounds of ammunition.
Appearing in court on Tuesday, Ferguson denied the charge of murder. His lawyer, Paul Meyer, stated outside the court that the shooting was unintentional and accidental, emphasizing that it was not a deliberate criminal act.
The judge was released on bail and is strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol. He is scheduled to appear in court again on October 30.
This heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of alcohol misuse and the importance of responsible firearm ownership.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the hope is that a comprehensive investigation will shed light on what transpired and provide some sense of closure for Sheryl Ferguson’s loved ones.