SANTA ANA, CA – A longtime Orange County judge was ordered Wednesday to serve 35 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of his wife, following a scathing rebuke from the Los Angeles judge who imposed the sentence and sharply criticized his repeated disregard for the law and judicial standards.
Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, a former Superior Court judge and career prosecutor, was convicted in April of second-degree murder in the 2023 killing of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, after an alcohol-fueled argument at their home. According to prosecutors, Ferguson texted his remorse and confession to his court staff within minutes of the shooting, telling them, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife.”
At the sentencing hearing in Santa Ana, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter denied pleas from defense attorneys to allow Ferguson to remain in the Orange County Jail during his appeal or be released on bond. Hunter was unsparing in her assessment, stating that Ferguson believed he was above the law and citing multiple instances where he ignored rules even during his own legal proceedings.
Hunter emphasized the gravity of Ferguson’s actions and his repeated failures to respect the boundaries expected of someone in his position. She noted that as a judge and former prosecutor with decades of experience, Ferguson was acutely aware of the dangers associated with handling firearms yet chose to ignore the warnings.
The shooting occurred in August 2023, after the couple’s 27-year marriage unraveled during a heated argument about finances. Their 22-year-old son, Phillip Ferguson, was present in the home at the time. Prosecutors said Ferguson drew a loaded .40 caliber pistol from an ankle holster and fired a round through his wife’s chest as they sat together in the living room. Phillip Ferguson called 911 after attempting to save his mother with CPR.
The court heard that Ferguson had simulated pointing a gun at his wife earlier that evening during an argument at a local restaurant. Sheryl Ferguson reportedly challenged him, saying, “Why don’t you point a real gun at me?” Back at home, the argument escalated with tragic consequences.
In her remarks, Judge Hunter cataloged a series of ethical lapses committed by Ferguson throughout the investigation and trial. She stated that he had consumed alcohol while wearing a mandated monitoring device, ignored orders not to speak publicly about his case, and improperly discussed the trial in prohibited areas near jurors. Hunter said she had “no confidence” Ferguson would adhere to any restrictions if released, referencing his consistent pattern of disregarding court procedures.
The judge also criticized Ferguson’s behavior as a betrayal of his oath and a distortion of the responsibilities entrusted to members of the judiciary. She said his actions caused immense harm beyond his wife’s death, forcing his son to witness the shooting and attempt life-saving measures under trauma.
Throughout the proceedings, both the prosecution and the court pointed to Ferguson’s experience as a factor that should have prevented such a tragedy, highlighting how his knowledge of the law and potential consequences made his decision especially egregious.
With the sentence now in place, Ferguson will serve his term in a state prison facility, as Hunter declined to make any exception from normal procedures for his high-profile status or long tenure on the bench. His conviction followed a previous mistrial in March, after which the jury deliberated seven hours before returning a guilty verdict one month later.
Ferguson’s legal team has indicated plans to pursue appeals, but with Judge Hunter’s denial of bond and jail transfer, he will begin serving his sentence immediately.