Judges and Judiciary,
Criminal
Mar. 10, 2025
Still struggling with key legal terms, jury deliberating Judge Ferguson murder trial goes home early Friday
Jurors deliberating the murder charges against Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey M. Ferguson have faced repeated hurdles in defining critical legal terms, leading to multiple impasses. Despite concerns from the defense about outside influence, the judge allowed jurors to leave early Friday, with plans to resume Monday. The high-profile case hinges on whether Ferguson's fatal shooting of his wife was an accident or a willful act, as suggested by a text message he sent after the incident.
After struggling for more than a week with the definition of "unlawful" and "willful" acts, jurors deliberating murder charges against Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey M. Ferguson went home early Friday but promised to return Monday ready to act.
"We have had some movement, but we would like to leave early and resume deliberations on Monday," read a note sent to Los Angeles County Judge Eleanor J. Hunter.
The judge, who is presiding...
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