OC Judge Charged With Wife’s Murder Texted Colleagues After Shooting: Prosecutors

Orange County Superior Court docket Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, was arrested final week for the taking pictures demise of his spouse Sheryl. He was launched the following day after posting $1 million bail, earlier than the Orange County Superior Court docket introduced Friday he has since been charged with one felony depend of homicide, one felony enhancement of private use of a firearm, and one felony enhancement of discharge of a firearm inflicting nice bodily harm and demise.

In keeping with paperwork filed by prosecutors on Thursday night time (by way of the LA Instances), the 2 had been out to dinner at a restaurant on August 3 once they began arguing. Through the argument, Ferguson allegedly made “a hand gesture indicative of pointing a gun at her.”

Upon returning to their Anaheim Hills dwelling, the struggle continued — and Sheryl allegedly stated one thing like, “Why do not you level an actual gun at me?” to her husband. He is accused of then pulling a Glock .40 from his ankle holster, earlier than taking pictures her within the chest; the bullet reportedly exited by means of her again and hit the wall behind her.

The couple’s son then referred to as 9-1-1 to report the taking pictures, earlier than Ferguson himself did the identical — however would not say whether or not he was the one who shot her, say prosecutors. The docs observe Ferguson smelled of alcohol when authorities arrived; when a pattern of his blood taken seven hours later was examined, it was beneath the authorized restrict. Prosecutors say he additionally allegedly requested officers to shoot him, earlier than saying to police, “What an assh–e I’m,” “Oh, man, I can not imagine I did this,” and “I assume I’m finished for some time.”

He additionally allegedly texted his courtroom bailiff and clerk saying, “I simply misplaced it. I simply shot my spouse. I received’t be in tomorrow. I can be in custody. I am so sorry.”

Although his arraignment was initially set for September 1, the DA has requested for it to be superior to this coming Tuesday as a substitute, citing “issues.”

Amongst stated issues, in response to a press launch on Friday, are the 47 weapons and greater than 26,000 rounds of ammunition had been discovered throughout a search of his dwelling; one rifle registered to his title additionally stays unaccounted for.

The DA additionally requested the courtroom to order Ferguson to give up his passport and hid carry allow, put on an ankle monitor, have restricted contact along with his son and keep away from alcohol, wherever alcohol is offered, firearms and airports altogether.

Attorneys for Ferguson launched a brief assertion, merely calling the incident “a tragedy for your entire Ferguson household” — whereas including, “It was an accident and nothing extra.”