Orange County Superior Court judge: Orange County Superior Court judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom. He was charged with murdering his wife. On Tuesday, he denied guilt.
It surprised everyone in town what happened on August 3. Ferguson is accused of murder with weapons enhancements after fighting with his 65-year-old wife, Sheryl Ferguson, in their Anaheim home. The argument heated up. They say Ferguson’s intoxication intensified the fight.
Ferguson texted his court clerk and police after the incident, expressing regret and sadness. I lost control and went crazy. I killed my wife recently. I’m leaving tomorrow. My jail time is coming. He allegedly wrote, “I’m really sorry.”
Judge Ferguson was photographed at a Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center event on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The lawyer argued the killing was an accident as he pleaded “not guilty.”
Ferguson was released after posting $1 million bail, but there were tight conditions. Los Angeles Superior Court judge Ricardo Ocampo ordered him to relinquish his passport, enable searches, wear blood alcohol monitoring devices, and wear a GPS tag. Firearms and alcohol are also prohibited.
The night began with a restaurant brawl. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office in court said Ferguson and his wife fought after arriving home. allegedly asked her husband, “Why don’t you aim a real gun at me?” Ferguson responded by shooting her in the chest.
The grown-up son contacted 911. He said investigators and his dad drank a lot before the murder.
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When authorities investigated the house, they found 47 lawfully held guns and 26,000 rounds of ammunition. The lawyers also said Ferguson’s firearm was missing.
Ferguson’s lawyer, Paul Meyer, believes the killing was inadvertent and not a crime. He felt convinced a jury would find no criminality.
Everyone could tell the situation was hard in the hallway. Sheryl Ferguson’s brother Larry Rosen said it was horrific when she looked at him in court.
The scenario has excited the media. People are interested in headlines like “California Judge Sent Text to Bailiff Saying ‘I Won’t Be in Tomorrow’ After Allegedly Killing His Wife, According to Police” and “California Judge Arrested and Charged with Murdering His Wife After a Deadly Shooting.”
As the trial progresses, people eagerly await answers to their many questions about this unfortunate occurrence. Judge Ferguson was formerly famous in the legal sector, but now he is shown next to a mugshot, illustrating his unfortunate fate.
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Our Reader’s Queries
How many judges are in Orange County Superior Court?
With a population of over three million residents, the county surpasses 21 states in size. Consequently, the court ranks as one of the largest state trial courts nationwide. Presently, there are 144 authorized judicial positions, comprising 124 judges and 20 commissioners.
How much do Orange County Superior Court judges make?
Judges in Orange County, CA rake in an average salary of $200,500 annually. However, this sum can fluctuate between $131,000 to $229,500, contingent on a range of factors such as expertise, years in the field, where they work, and additional perks like bonuses and tips.
Who is the presiding judge of Orange County?
Hernandez became a commissioner in 2006 and was later appointed as a judge by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. She then took on the role of assistant presiding judge at the Superior Court of Orange County in 2021, before being elected as presiding judge in January 2023.
Who is judge Belz on Orange County Superior Court?
Belz serves as a Superior Court Judge in Orange County, California. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the position in March 2009. After his appointment, Judge Belz presided over a Family Law courtroom for 5 years.