Mistrial Declared in High-Profile Judge Ferguson Case

A California judge accused of murdering his wife faces potential retrial after a hung jury delivered an 11-1 deadlock in favor of conviction, despite his claim that the shooting was accidental.

Key Insights

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson’s murder trial ended in mistrial with 11 jurors voting to convict and only 1 voting to acquit.
Ferguson admitted to shooting his wife Sheryl but claimed it was accidental, citing a shoulder injury and alcohol consumption.
Authorities discovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at Ferguson’s home during the investigation.
Ferguson remains free on $2 million bail while prosecutors prepare for a possible retrial likely to begin in April or May.
Despite the criminal charges, Sheryl Ferguson’s family reportedly believes the shooting was accidental rather than murder.

Judge’s Trial Ends in Deadlock

A mistrial has been declared in the high-profile second-degree murder case against Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who was charged with fatally shooting his wife Sheryl on August 3, 2023, in their Anaheim Hills home. The jury deadlocked with an 11-1 split in favor of conviction after deliberating for several days. Judge Ferguson, who has admitted to the shooting but claims it was accidental, now faces the prospect of a second trial as prosecutors have indicated their intention to retry the case.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer was resolute about pursuing a new trial, citing the near-unanimous jury decision. “11-1 for guilty … that is not a case you don’t retry,” Spitzer stated. Ferguson, who remains free on $2 million bail, faces significant legal jeopardy with the potential retrial expected to commence in April or May. The case has drawn substantial attention within the legal community where Ferguson has served as a judge since 2015.

The case of a California judge charged with murder in his wife's death has ended in a mistrial https://t.co/6r2XHiiQTx

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 11, 2025

Conflicting Accounts of the Fatal Shooting

The prosecution and defense presented dramatically different narratives about what happened on the night Sheryl Ferguson was killed. Prosecutors argued that Judge Ferguson, angered because of an argument, deliberately took out his gun and shot his wife. Senior Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt told jurors: “You have been presented with evidence — credible evidence — he took out the gun, he was angry. He took the gun out, pointed at her and killed her.”

The defense, however, portrayed the shooting as a tragic accident. Ferguson’s attorney argued that a shoulder injury and alcohol consumption contributed to the unintentional discharge of the weapon. Evidence presented at trial showed that immediately after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. In a text message to his court staff following the incident, Ferguson wrote: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”

Arsenals and Aftermath

The investigation following the shooting revealed that Ferguson possessed an extensive collection of 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition at his residence. This discovery, along with Ferguson’s admission of alcoholism during the trial, has raised questions about potential reviews of his past judicial decisions. Ferguson, who previously served as a prosecutor and has held leadership positions in legal associations, is currently not presiding over cases due to the felony charge against him.

Members of Sheryl Ferguson’s family, meanwhile, have reportedly expressed their belief that the shooting was accidental rather than murder. This position aligns with the defense’s argument and complicates the prosecution’s narrative. Ferguson’s attorney noted that his client was not celebrating the mistrial outcome. “He wasn’t jubilant or elated, he was you know, he’s still pretty sad. Obviously, he lost his wife and so his life is still sort of ruined, and he still has another potential trial to field ahead,” defense attorney Cameron Talley said.

Legal and Professional Implications

The case carries significant implications for the Orange County legal system where Ferguson has served on the bench since 2015. Prior to his judicial appointment, Ferguson worked in the district attorney’s office and handled numerous gun-related cases. Reports indicate he had previously been admonished for inappropriate conduct on social media related to judicial matters, adding another layer of complexity to his professional standing. A hearing has been scheduled to determine the next steps in the case.

Ferguson’s defense team has expressed hope for reaching an agreement with prosecutors that might avoid a second trial, citing the judge’s age and family support. As the Orange County District Attorney’s office reviews the case and consults with the victim’s family, the legal community continues to grapple with the shocking case of one of their own facing such serious charges. The potential retrial promises to once again shine a spotlight on issues of gun ownership, domestic disputes, and accountability for those in positions of judicial authority.