California Judge Accused of Wife's Murder Released on $2 Million Bail

A judge in California who is accused of murdering his wife was recently released on a $2 million bail.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was released Friday from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody, according to online jail records. Ferguson, 74, was returned to custody last month after the presiding judge concluded that he had violated bail conditions by providing false information about his alcohol consumption.

Charges Against Jeffrey Ferguson

Ferguson entered a not guilty plea to charges of murder in the shooting death of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson—an act his then-attorney described as accidental. Investigators said the couple had been arguing in August 2023, and Ferguson, who had been drinking, retrieved a pistol from an ankle holster and shot her in the chest.

Anaheim police responded to their home on August 3 of last year after receiving a call from their son Phillip Ferguson, who was 23 at the time. He found his 65-year-old mother with a gunshot wound to the torso. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jeffrey Ferguson and his son dialed 911, while the elder Ferguson also sent a text to his court clerk and bailiff that read: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry,” prosecutors said in court filings.

When authorities searched Ferguson’s home, they discovered 47 firearms—including the pistol used in the shooting—and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition.

Phillip Ferguson recalled seeing his father point a gun at his mother and a flash going off, but he said he thought it was an “accident” that the gun was fired. He pinned his father down and took the firearm before performing CPR on his mother.

Defense attorney Ed Welbourn said the incident was not a “murder” but instead “a terrible accident that resulted in the death of the love of his life.”

Following the incident, Phillip Ferguson told authorities that he was at a Mexican restaurant with his parents when they began fighting about finances. Welbourn admitted that the judge was drinking that night.

The couple went back to their house and began watchingthe show Breaking Bad on the television in the living room. The argument started once again and escalated when Sheryl Ferguson said, “Why don’t you point a real gun at me,” according to court testimony.