The Aftermath of Mistrial: Judge Jeffrey Ferguson’s Life in Turmoil
March 12, 2025, 9:09 am CDT
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson during a hearing at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Damian Dovarganes/The Associated Press)
In a recent trial in Los Angeles, jurors declared a mistrial in the case against Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who is facing accusations related to the fatal shooting of his wife. The jury, which deliberated for eight days, was split, with 11 jurors favoring conviction on the second-degree murder charge.
Ferguson, 72, reportedly sent a text to court personnel shortly after the incident, stating he would be absent from work because, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife.” The tragic event occurred in August 2023, during a domestic argument while the couple was watching an episode of the television series Breaking Bad.
Details of the Incident and Legal Defense
The shooting was preceded by a dispute over financial matters. Ferguson’s defense team contended that the shooting was accidental, claiming he had inadvertently discharged his firearm while trying to put it down due to shooting pain from a shoulder injury. At the time of the incident, Ferguson’s blood alcohol content was reported to be around twice the legal limit, according to evidence presented by the prosecution.
Witness testimony included Ferguson’s adult son, who recounted stepping outside during the argument and hearing his mother say something akin to “Why don’t you point a real gun at me?” He allegedly witnessed his father firing the weapon, which was kept in an ankle holster.
Contrary to his son’s testimony, Ferguson claimed that his wife had actually said, “Why don’t you put the real gun away from me?” emphasizing the differing narratives presented during the trial.
The Impact on Ferguson’s Life
Following the mistrial, Ferguson’s attorney, Cameron Talley, expressed that the emotional toll on his client is profound. Talley stated, “At the end of the day, Judge Ferguson’s life remains in ruins: He’s a broken, 74-year-old man who lost his wife and has health problems.” Talley also mentioned that neither Ferguson’s children nor his wife’s relatives desire to see him prosecuted further.
In response to the mistrial, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer indicated a readiness to pursue a retrial. In parallel, his office intends to scrutinize cases previously overseen by Ferguson, particularly because he admitted during the trial to being occasionally under the influence of alcohol while on the bench.
