‘Drunk’ judge shoots wife dead, pleads not guilty
An Orange County Superior Court judge has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of his wife at their home in Anaheim Hills.
A court filing says Ferguson texted: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
The court document alleges he threatened his wife earlier that evening by making a hand gesture that looked like he was pointing a gun at her. The document also says their adult son called 911 and said his father had been drinking too much and shot his mom.
Jeffrey Ferguson also called 911 to vaguely report the shooting. When asked if he shot his wife, he said he didn’t want to talk about it at that time and she needed paramedics.
When officers arrived, Ferguson smelled of alcohol and told them, “Oh man I can’t believe I did this,” according to the document.
During the investigation at the scene, police served a search warrant and recovered 47 weapons — including rifles, shotguns, and handguns — and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition. A .22 rifle legally registered to Ferguson remains unaccounted for, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office. The defense argued that and said all weapons are accounted for.
An investigator removes firearms from a home on East Canyon Vista Drive in Anaheim Hills on Friday.
Another court hearing was set for Oct. 30, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for Ferguson to stand trial.
Because of Ferguson’s occupation, and his personal and professional relationships with other judges in the Orange County court system, the case was moved to Los Angeles.
“In terms of getting a fair trial, wherever he goes, he’s going to be judged based on two things: the facts of the case and that he’s a judge,” said attorney Lou Shapiro. “Judges are always held to a higher standard because that’s just what’s expected from them in society. The fact that a judge is charged with such a heinous crime, it’s going to make it that much more difficult for him to go to trial in such a case.”
Because the case could be complex and difficult, Shapiro believes if it does go to trial, it likely won’t be for two to three years.
