Jeffrey Ferguson, an Orange County judge sent his coworkers a series of chilling texts after he allegedly shot and killed his wife, according to investigators.
Last week, Jeffrey was arrested for murder in the shooting death of Sheryl Ferguson. The 72-year-old judge reportedly got into argument with his 65-year-old wife at a restaurant on August 3. The argument continued at their Anaheim Hills home, according to court filings.
As the situation for tenser, Sheryl reportedly asked her husband: “Why don’t you point a real gun at me?” Jeffrey, who was reportedly drunk at that point pulled a pistol from his ankle holster and shot her in the chest.
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He then texted his court clerk and bailiff shortly after allegedly murdering his wife. “I just lost it,” he wrote in one text. “I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
911 was called by the couple’s son. He told dispatchers that his father had too much to drink and shot his mother. Jeffrey also called the police to report his own crime but when he was pressed further by the emergency operator, he said that he didn’t want to talk about it.
When officers responded to his house, Jeffrey allegedly said, “Oh man, I can’t believe I did this.” Law enforcement smelled alcohol on him when they arrested him. Upon searching his house, the police also found 47 legally owned weapons, including the pistol used in the shooting. Over 26,000 rounds of ammunition were stored at his California home.
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He was charged with murder and weapons-related enhancements on Friday. He faces 40 years to life in prison if found guilty.
Ferguson’s lawyers, Paul Meyer and John Barnett released a brief statement, saying: “This is a tragedy for the entire Ferguson family. It was an accident and nothing more.
Jeffrey is currently free on a $1million bail and is due in court again on September 1.
A Los Angeles County judge will hear the case.
