The murder trial of a former Orange County judge in the death of his wife was expected to begin on Wednesday in the same courthouse he served.
Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was charged with one felony of murder, an intensive felony of personal use of firearms, and an intensive felony of firearm discharge.
Ferguson faces a life sentence of up to 40 years if convicted in all three counts. His lawyers do not dispute Ferguson fired a gun. Authorities say he pulled from the ankle holster, but they alleged it was an accident.
The ju judge is made up of Orange County residents, but the judge is instead from Los Angeles County to explain the personal connections Ferguson may have had.
Until Tuesday, pretrial hearings were also being held in Los Angeles, but earlier this month, Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter ruled that both himself and the case would move south.
Jury selection began on Tuesday morning and ended by 3pm.
Police responded to the homes of Ferguson and his wife, Cheryl Ferguson, on August 3, 2023, at about 8pm, following reports of a shooting at the residence. Officers found a 65-year-old woman suffering from at least one bullet wound, police said at the time.
She died at the scene.
The couple’s adult son called 911 to report the shooting. Court filings from prosecutors say Ferguson texted his court clerk and enforcement officer minutes after the murder. I just shot my wife. There’s no tomorrow. I will be detained. sorry. “
Ferguson was arrested at the crime scene. He posted the bond and was released from custody the following day.
His son, who is allegedly witnessing the incident, is expected to testify.
That day, Ferguson was drinking that day when he discussed his wife and wife during dinner at a local restaurant and later while watching “Breaking Bad” with his adult son, prosecutor Seton Hunt said. At one point in the evening, Ferguson gestured a gun hand towards her, and she later said she would cheate him and point the real thing at her, Hunt said.
Ferguson did so and pulled the trigger, Hunt said.
Ferguson was a judge at Orange County Superior Court in 2015. He began his legal career in 1983 as the OC Associate District Attorney.
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