A former judge in Southern California, Jeffrey Ferguson, just got a heavy sentence for shooting and killing his wife during a heated argument over money. On September 17, 2025, a judge handed him 35 years to life in prison for second-degree murder and gun-related charges. This shocking case has shaken the legal world in Orange County, where Ferguson worked for decades.
Ferguson, now 74, stood in court wearing a green jail jumpsuit. The trial happened outside Orange County to avoid any bias, with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter leading it. She called the evidence against him “absolutely overwhelming.” Right after the shooting on August 3, 2023, Ferguson texted his court staff: “I just lost it.” Videos from custody also showed him talking a lot about what happened.
Hunter cut five years off the max 40-year sentence because Ferguson had no prior record and got support from his late wife’s family. But she slammed him for ignoring rules, like drinking while armed—even after bond conditions banned it. “Mr. Ferguson believes the rules just do not apply to him,” she said firmly.
Prosecutors, led by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, painted it as “cold-blooded murder.” They said Ferguson, a trained gun owner, pulled a pistol from his ankle holster during an argument at home in Anaheim Hills. The fight started at a Mexican restaurant over family finances, with Ferguson making a gun-like hand gesture at his wife, Sheryl. It kept going while they watched “Breaking Bad” with their adult son, Phillip. Sheryl dared him to point a real gun at her—he did, and fired.
Ferguson claims it was a tragic accident. In court, his voice broke as he said, “I loved my wife and looked forward to spending my life with her and our family. I understand the jury’s verdict, but it was a horrific accident. I have enormous grief for my son, Phillip, and Sheryl’s brothers.”
The first jury deadlocked in March 2025, leading to a mistrial. But the second one convicted him in April. During the trial, cops found 47 guns and over 26,000 rounds of ammo at his home, including the murder weapon.
This hit hard in Orange County, home to 3 million people between LA and San Diego. Ferguson started as a prosecutor in 1983, handled big narcotics cases, and won awards. He became a judge in 2015, overseeing crimes in nearby Fullerton.
Sheryl’s brother, Larry Rosen, spoke at sentencing, tears streaming down his face. He asked for mercy, calling it an accident and worrying about Phillip. “My nephew has lost his mom, and you’re going to take away his dad,” he said. “I understand there’s culpability, but not to the level that’s been raised here.”
Spitzer told reporters after the hearing that at Ferguson’s age, he’ll likely never walk free again. The 911 call from Ferguson and Phillip, plus his texts and videos where he sobbed about the jury convicting him, sealed the case. It’s a sad end for a man once trusted to uphold the law.
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