True crime investigations from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Veteran legal affairs journalist Bill Rankin takes you inside the courtroom to break down the story and the criminal justice system. This award-winning series investigates Georgia’s most important cases with fact-based reporting. Season 10 will focus on the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, led by District Attorney Fani Willis. Co-hosted by senior reporter Tamar Hallerman and editor ...
…
continue reading
Content provided by True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews and Real Story Media. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews and Real Story Media or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
Similar to True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews
Welcome to Crimetown, a series produced by Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier in partnership with Gimlet Media. Each season, we investigate the culture of crime in a different city. In Season 2, Crimetown heads to the heart of the Rust Belt: Detroit, Michigan. From its heyday as Motor City to its rebirth as the Brooklyn of the Midwest, Detroit’s history reflects a series of issues that strike at the heart of American identity: race, poverty, policing, loss of industry, the war on drugs, an ...
…
continue reading
The UK Column is an independent news organisation analysing the information war. Operating without financial backing or external investment, we remain free from advertisers, foundations, and political parties, relying solely on support from our audience through memberships and donations.
…
continue reading
David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news
…
continue reading
Daily news updates from across the Slate Podcast network.
…
continue reading
America’s premier Sunday morning public affairs program. For nearly 70 years, Face the Nation has sought to help audiences understand how current events affect their lives. Today, that mission remains the same. Hear moderator Margaret Brennan’s illuminating and informative interviews with elected officials, policy experts and foreign leaders. Face the Nation airs Sundays at 10:30 AM, ET on the CBS Television Network and at 12 PM, ET on the CBS News Streaming Network. Face the Nation is also ...
…
continue reading
Lyn and Chris Dawson appear to have the perfect marriage. He's a star footballer and popular high school teacher. She's a devoted wife and mother. They share a beautiful home above Sydney's northern beaches. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder. The Australian's Hedley Thomas digs deep into a cold case which has been unsolved for 36 years, uncovering startling ...
…
continue reading
Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories beyond the news headlines. Presented by Kate Adie.
…
continue reading
Our flagship daily news show, where we talk to in-house experts about what is going on and why you need to care about it.
…
continue reading
Commentary is America's premier monthly magazine of opinion: General, yet Jewish. Highly variegated, with a unifying perspective.Listen to The Commentary Magazine Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required.
…
continue reading
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!
Go offline with the Player FM app!
))
Southern California Judge Shoots Wife, Calls Work To Let Them Know 'He Won't Be In'
Manage episode 479650812 series 2648298
Content provided by True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews and Real Story Media. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews and Real Story Media or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
Southern California Judge Shoots Wife, Calls Work To Let Them Know 'He Won't Be In'
A Southern California judge was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife during a domestic argument while the couple watched television in their Anaheim Hills home.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was found guilty in the 2023 killing of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65. The jury also convicted him of a felony gun enhancement, and he now faces up to 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 13.
The verdict came after just one day of deliberations. Ferguson, who had taken the stand in his own defense, admitted to the shooting but claimed it was accidental. After the decision was announced, he was allowed a brief embrace with his son before being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Ferguson's attorney, Cameron Talley, said the defense would appeal the conviction. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Talley said. “At the same time, we all know that juries don’t always get it right. I still believe in Jeff.”
The case shook Orange County’s legal community, where Ferguson had worked for decades—first as a prosecutor, then as a judge beginning in 2015. The trial was moved to Los Angeles Superior Court to avoid a conflict of interest, with Judge Eleanor J. Hunter presiding. A previous jury was unable to reach a verdict in March, resulting in a mistrial.
“There are no winners here,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said during a post-verdict press conference. “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred on August 3, 2023, following an argument about finances that began at dinner and escalated at home while the couple was watching the TV show Breaking Bad with their adult son. They said Ferguson, who had been drinking, made a gun gesture at his wife during dinner. At home, she reportedly challenged him to use a real gun—and he did.
Ferguson claimed he was removing the weapon from his ankle holster to put it away when it accidentally discharged.
Immediately after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. Ferguson also sent a text to his court staff that read: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” His son, Phillip, testified that he wrestled the gun from his father and attempted CPR on his mother.
Bodycam footage showed Ferguson crying and telling officers that he had killed his wife, and that everyone, including his son, would hate him. He repeatedly asked to be convicted by a jury.
Authorities later found 47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the Ferguson home. Prosecutors emphasized the judge’s extensive firearms training, arguing that the shooting could not have been an accident.
“This was not an accident,” DA Spitzer said in a statement. “Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy.”
Ferguson, who had been free on $2 million bail, had not presided over cases since his arrest, in accordance with California’s constitution, which prohibits judges facing felony charges from hearing matters in court.
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?
Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
A Southern California judge was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife during a domestic argument while the couple watched television in their Anaheim Hills home.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was found guilty in the 2023 killing of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65. The jury also convicted him of a felony gun enhancement, and he now faces up to 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 13.
The verdict came after just one day of deliberations. Ferguson, who had taken the stand in his own defense, admitted to the shooting but claimed it was accidental. After the decision was announced, he was allowed a brief embrace with his son before being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Ferguson's attorney, Cameron Talley, said the defense would appeal the conviction. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Talley said. “At the same time, we all know that juries don’t always get it right. I still believe in Jeff.”
The case shook Orange County’s legal community, where Ferguson had worked for decades—first as a prosecutor, then as a judge beginning in 2015. The trial was moved to Los Angeles Superior Court to avoid a conflict of interest, with Judge Eleanor J. Hunter presiding. A previous jury was unable to reach a verdict in March, resulting in a mistrial.
“There are no winners here,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said during a post-verdict press conference. “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred on August 3, 2023, following an argument about finances that began at dinner and escalated at home while the couple was watching the TV show Breaking Bad with their adult son. They said Ferguson, who had been drinking, made a gun gesture at his wife during dinner. At home, she reportedly challenged him to use a real gun—and he did.
Ferguson claimed he was removing the weapon from his ankle holster to put it away when it accidentally discharged.
Immediately after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. Ferguson also sent a text to his court staff that read: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” His son, Phillip, testified that he wrestled the gun from his father and attempted CPR on his mother.
Bodycam footage showed Ferguson crying and telling officers that he had killed his wife, and that everyone, including his son, would hate him. He repeatedly asked to be convicted by a jury.
Authorities later found 47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the Ferguson home. Prosecutors emphasized the judge’s extensive firearms training, arguing that the shooting could not have been an accident.
“This was not an accident,” DA Spitzer said in a statement. “Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy.”
Ferguson, who had been free on $2 million bail, had not presided over cases since his arrest, in accordance with California’s constitution, which prohibits judges facing felony charges from hearing matters in court.
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?
Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
9750 episodes
Share
Manage episode 479650812 series 2648298
Content provided by True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews and Real Story Media. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews and Real Story Media or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
Southern California Judge Shoots Wife, Calls Work To Let Them Know 'He Won't Be In'
A Southern California judge was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife during a domestic argument while the couple watched television in their Anaheim Hills home.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was found guilty in the 2023 killing of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65. The jury also convicted him of a felony gun enhancement, and he now faces up to 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 13.
The verdict came after just one day of deliberations. Ferguson, who had taken the stand in his own defense, admitted to the shooting but claimed it was accidental. After the decision was announced, he was allowed a brief embrace with his son before being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Ferguson's attorney, Cameron Talley, said the defense would appeal the conviction. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Talley said. “At the same time, we all know that juries don’t always get it right. I still believe in Jeff.”
The case shook Orange County’s legal community, where Ferguson had worked for decades—first as a prosecutor, then as a judge beginning in 2015. The trial was moved to Los Angeles Superior Court to avoid a conflict of interest, with Judge Eleanor J. Hunter presiding. A previous jury was unable to reach a verdict in March, resulting in a mistrial.
“There are no winners here,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said during a post-verdict press conference. “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred on August 3, 2023, following an argument about finances that began at dinner and escalated at home while the couple was watching the TV show Breaking Bad with their adult son. They said Ferguson, who had been drinking, made a gun gesture at his wife during dinner. At home, she reportedly challenged him to use a real gun—and he did.
Ferguson claimed he was removing the weapon from his ankle holster to put it away when it accidentally discharged.
Immediately after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. Ferguson also sent a text to his court staff that read: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” His son, Phillip, testified that he wrestled the gun from his father and attempted CPR on his mother.
Bodycam footage showed Ferguson crying and telling officers that he had killed his wife, and that everyone, including his son, would hate him. He repeatedly asked to be convicted by a jury.
Authorities later found 47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the Ferguson home. Prosecutors emphasized the judge’s extensive firearms training, arguing that the shooting could not have been an accident.
“This was not an accident,” DA Spitzer said in a statement. “Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy.”
Ferguson, who had been free on $2 million bail, had not presided over cases since his arrest, in accordance with California’s constitution, which prohibits judges facing felony charges from hearing matters in court.
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?
Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
A Southern California judge was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his wife during a domestic argument while the couple watched television in their Anaheim Hills home.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was found guilty in the 2023 killing of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65. The jury also convicted him of a felony gun enhancement, and he now faces up to 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on June 13.
The verdict came after just one day of deliberations. Ferguson, who had taken the stand in his own defense, admitted to the shooting but claimed it was accidental. After the decision was announced, he was allowed a brief embrace with his son before being handcuffed and taken into custody.
Ferguson's attorney, Cameron Talley, said the defense would appeal the conviction. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” Talley said. “At the same time, we all know that juries don’t always get it right. I still believe in Jeff.”
The case shook Orange County’s legal community, where Ferguson had worked for decades—first as a prosecutor, then as a judge beginning in 2015. The trial was moved to Los Angeles Superior Court to avoid a conflict of interest, with Judge Eleanor J. Hunter presiding. A previous jury was unable to reach a verdict in March, resulting in a mistrial.
“There are no winners here,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said during a post-verdict press conference. “Justice was achieved, but I’m very sad for the Ferguson family.”
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred on August 3, 2023, following an argument about finances that began at dinner and escalated at home while the couple was watching the TV show Breaking Bad with their adult son. They said Ferguson, who had been drinking, made a gun gesture at his wife during dinner. At home, she reportedly challenged him to use a real gun—and he did.
Ferguson claimed he was removing the weapon from his ankle holster to put it away when it accidentally discharged.
Immediately after the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. Ferguson also sent a text to his court staff that read: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.” His son, Phillip, testified that he wrestled the gun from his father and attempted CPR on his mother.
Bodycam footage showed Ferguson crying and telling officers that he had killed his wife, and that everyone, including his son, would hate him. He repeatedly asked to be convicted by a jury.
Authorities later found 47 firearms and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the Ferguson home. Prosecutors emphasized the judge’s extensive firearms training, arguing that the shooting could not have been an accident.
“This was not an accident,” DA Spitzer said in a statement. “Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy.”
Ferguson, who had been free on $2 million bail, had not presided over cases since his arrest, in accordance with California’s constitution, which prohibits judges facing felony charges from hearing matters in court.
Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?
Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/
Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod
X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod
Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872
9750 episodes
All episodes
×
Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.
Similar to True Crime Today | Daily True Crime News & Interviews
True crime investigations from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Veteran legal affairs journalist Bill Rankin takes you inside the courtroom to break down the story and the criminal justice system. This award-winning series investigates Georgia’s most important cases with fact-based reporting. Season 10 will focus on the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump in Fulton County, Georgia, led by District Attorney Fani Willis. Co-hosted by senior reporter Tamar Hallerman and editor ...
…
continue reading
Welcome to Crimetown, a series produced by Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier in partnership with Gimlet Media. Each season, we investigate the culture of crime in a different city. In Season 2, Crimetown heads to the heart of the Rust Belt: Detroit, Michigan. From its heyday as Motor City to its rebirth as the Brooklyn of the Midwest, Detroit’s history reflects a series of issues that strike at the heart of American identity: race, poverty, policing, loss of industry, the war on drugs, an ...
…
continue reading
The UK Column is an independent news organisation analysing the information war. Operating without financial backing or external investment, we remain free from advertisers, foundations, and political parties, relying solely on support from our audience through memberships and donations.
…
continue reading
David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news
…
continue reading
Daily news updates from across the Slate Podcast network.
…
continue reading
America’s premier Sunday morning public affairs program. For nearly 70 years, Face the Nation has sought to help audiences understand how current events affect their lives. Today, that mission remains the same. Hear moderator Margaret Brennan’s illuminating and informative interviews with elected officials, policy experts and foreign leaders. Face the Nation airs Sundays at 10:30 AM, ET on the CBS Television Network and at 12 PM, ET on the CBS News Streaming Network. Face the Nation is also ...
…
continue reading
Lyn and Chris Dawson appear to have the perfect marriage. He's a star footballer and popular high school teacher. She's a devoted wife and mother. They share a beautiful home above Sydney's northern beaches. But when Lyn goes missing, dark secrets are buried. This is no fairytale, but a sordid story of strangely close twin brothers, teenage student lovers, and probable murder. The Australian's Hedley Thomas digs deep into a cold case which has been unsolved for 36 years, uncovering startling ...
…
continue reading
Insight, wit and analysis from BBC correspondents, journalists and writers telling stories beyond the news headlines. Presented by Kate Adie.
…
continue reading
Our flagship daily news show, where we talk to in-house experts about what is going on and why you need to care about it.
…
continue reading
Commentary is America's premier monthly magazine of opinion: General, yet Jewish. Highly variegated, with a unifying perspective.Listen to The Commentary Magazine Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required.
…
continue reading
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!
Go offline with the Player FM app!
