California Judge on Trial for Killing Wife Admits to Shooting During Argument Over Money

Prosecutors said Sheryl Ferguson was shot and killed by her judge husband during a dispute over money in 2023.

A California judge on trial for murdering his wife admitted to police that he shot her during an argument about money while drinking and watching Breaking Bad, prosecutors revealed.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, had been drinking and arguing with his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, at dinner and later at home on Aug. 3, 2023. When his wife allegedly dared him to point a gun at her, he pulled a loaded firearm from his ankle holster and fatally shot her, prosecutors told jurors on Wednesday.

“I killed her,” Ferguson confessed on police bodycam footage. “I did it.”

Shortly after, he sent a message to his court clerk and bailiff, writing:

"I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry."

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, is on trial for shooting his wife dead during a spat in 2023

Ferguson’s defense attorney, Cameron Talley, admitted his client fired the fatal shot but insisted it was an accident. He argued that during their dispute over money, Ferguson made a gun gesture with his hand, prompting his wife to tease him to use a real gun. With 47 weapons and 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the home, Ferguson picked up a real gun and, according to the defense, unintentionally pulled the trigger.

Their adult son, Phillip, witnessed the shooting, called 911, took the gun away from his father, and attempted CPR on his mother, who was unresponsive.

Bodycam footage presented in court shows Ferguson being led out of his home in handcuffs. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be sitting here in handcuffs,” he told officers.

The trial is being held in Santa Ana to prevent conflicts of interest, given Ferguson’s background as a former Orange County prosecutor.

After his arrest, Ferguson was initially released on $1 million bail but was later jailed for violating his bail conditions by drinking. He was subsequently released on $2 million bail and is expected to testify at his trial.