A Southern California prosecutor is currently facing murder charges after fatally shooting his wife in the head at their house. His defense contends that the incident occurred accidentally, while prosecutors contend that the shooting was a result of an intentional homicide.
Orange County superior court determine Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was captured on police body-camera film confessing to the killing of his family, Sheryl Ferguson, on August 3, 2023. Ferguson is alleged to have killed her in the video that was shown to jury on Wednesday. ” I did it”.
Ferguson and his family had a financial argument at a restaurant, according to the prosecution, and the argument persisted at their house in Anaheim Hills. Ferguson supposedly made a gun-hand gesture toward Sheryl while the few watched” Breaking Negative” with their adult child. According to Hunt, she reportedly told him to fire a real weapon at her before Ferguson pulled out a loaded crossbow from his hip pouch and shot her.
Although Ferguson claims the killing was never intentional, defense attorney Cameron J. Talley disputes that the shooting was purposeful. Ferguson, who has pleaded not guilty, is expected to testify after in the trial.
After the killing, both Ferguson and his brother called 911. The prosecutor also sent a message to his court clerk and judge, reading. ” I only lost it. I merely shot my family. I won’t get in tomorrow. I will be in prison. I’m but sorry”, according to prosecutors.
Ferguson allegedly asked commanders if his wife was still intact while wearing cuffs outside his home on bodycam video that was filmed in court. He is reportedly compared to the violent criminals he again prosecuted and lamenting how his community would react to his actions.
His brother, Phillip Ferguson, testified that his parents had formerly taught him weapons safety, including the importance of always pointing a gun at anyone. He said after the killing, he jumped over a couch, took the gun from his father, and attempted to keep his family by performing CPR.
” As I was jumping over the sofa, I heard her say,’ He shot me,'” Phillip recounted.
Authorities eventually found 47 handguns and more than 26, 000 rounds of ammunition in Ferguson’s house. Prosecutors contend that his broad firearms experience disproves any theory that the shooting was an accident.
Ferguson, who was elected Orange County judge in 2012, was initially released on$ 1 million bail in 2023 but was later detained after breaking his bail conditions by drinking alcohol. He was afterwards freed once more under a$ 2 million bond.
Ferguson, a former prosecutor, handled cocaine cases for years and won numerous awards for his efforts. However, his criminal career hasn’t been without controversy. He was criticized in 2017 for making false claims about a criminal candidate on Instagram and for maintaining social advertising friendships with attorneys who have testified before him in court.
A prosecutor facing criminal charges can continue to receive a salary but not be able to handle situations under California law.
