A Southern California choose who shot and killed his spouse throughout an argument over household funds was sentenced Wednesday to 35 years to life in jail.
The case roiled the authorized neighborhood in California’s Orange County the place many had identified or labored with him for many years.
Orange County Superior Courtroom Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, carrying a inexperienced jail jumpsuit in courtroom, was sentenced for the second-degree homicide of his spouse, Sheryl, and felony gun enhancements.
Los Angeles Superior Courtroom Decide Eleanor J. Hunter, who presided over the case to keep away from a battle of curiosity in Orange County, mentioned the proof towards Ferguson was “completely overwhelming” together with a textual content message he despatched to courtroom employees instantly after the taking pictures saying “I simply misplaced it” and video recordings of him talking extensively whereas in custody.
Hunter mentioned she would shave 5 years off the utmost potential sentence of 40 years to life attributable to Ferguson’s lack of a legal report and help from Sheryl Ferguson’s relations, amongst different elements, however that Ferguson had repeatedly proven he doesn’t imagine the foundations apply to him by consuming whereas carrying a weapon — even whereas he was out on bond despite the fact that he was barred from doing so.
“Mr. Ferguson believes the foundations simply don’t apply to him,” Hunter mentioned.
Ferguson, 74, has claimed the 2023 taking pictures was unintended, however District Legal professional Todd Spitzer mentioned the proof confirmed it was “cold-blooded homicide.”
“He most definitely, with this sentence, won’t ever see freedom on account of his age,” Spitzer informed reporters after the listening to.
In courtroom, Ferguson mentioned he beloved his spouse and was wanting ahead to spending his life along with her and their household.
“I perceive the jury’s verdict nevertheless it was a horrific accident,” Ferguson mentioned, his voice cracking. “I’ve huge grief not for myself alone however for my son, Phillip, and Sheryl’s brothers.”
Prosecutors mentioned the longtime choose and former legal prosecutor pulled a gun from his ankle holster in August 2023 and fired the deadly shot after he had been consuming and arguing with Sheryl over household funds at a restaurant and later whereas watching “Breaking Dangerous” of their Anaheim Hills house.
The case roiled the authorized neighborhood in Orange County the place many have identified or labored with Ferguson for many years, together with Spitzer.
The county is house to three million individuals between Los Angeles and San Diego.
In the course of the sentencing listening to, Sheryl’s brother, Larry Rosen, and different family requested the choose for leniency. Rosen mentioned he believes the taking pictures was an accident and worries about Ferguson’s grownup son, Phillip.
“My nephew has misplaced his mother and you’re going to take away his dad,” Rosen mentioned, sobbing. “I perceive there’s culpability however I don’t suppose it’s to the extent that’s been raised right here.”
In March, an preliminary jury deadlocked on the case and Hunter declared a mistrial. In April, a second jury convicted Ferguson of second-degree homicide and the gun enhancements.
In the course of the trial, prosecutors mentioned Ferguson had been consuming earlier than he made a gun-like hand gesture towards his spouse of 27 years whereas arguing along with her at a Mexican restaurant on Aug. 3, 2023.
Prosecutors mentioned the quarrel continued at house whereas the couple was watching TV with Phillip, and Sheryl Ferguson challenged her husband to level an actual gun at her.
He did, then pulled the set off, prosecutors mentioned.
Ferguson, who had expertise and coaching in firearms, testified that he was eradicating the gun from his ankle holster to put it on a desk cluttered with different gadgets when he fumbled it attributable to an injured shoulder, and it went off.
Instantly after the taking pictures, Ferguson and his son referred to as 911, and Ferguson texted his courtroom clerk and bailiff saying, “I simply misplaced it. I simply shot my spouse. I gained’t be in tomorrow. I shall be in custody. I’m so sorry,” in accordance with a duplicate of a textual content message proven to jurors.
Ferguson spoke with police outdoors his house and whereas in custody.
In video proven at trial, he was seen sobbing and saying his son and everybody would hate him, and pleading for a jury to convict him.
After Ferguson’s arrest, authorities mentioned they discovered 47 weapons, together with the gun used within the taking pictures, and greater than 26,000 rounds of ammunition at his house.
Ferguson started his authorized profession within the district lawyer’s workplace in 1983 and went on to work on narcotics circumstances, successful varied awards.
He grew to become a choose in 2015 and presided over legal circumstances within the Orange County metropolis of Fullerton, about 10 miles from the courtroom the place he was sentenced.
