Jury convicts OC Judge Jeffrey M. Ferguson of second-degree murder

After proclaiming to police, "Convict my ass -- I did it," Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey M. Ferguson was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife, bringing a dramatic end to a closely watched retrial that laid bare the volatile private life of the jurist.

Ferguson, 74, showed little reaction as the verdict was read in the Santa Ana courtroom, while family members seated in the gallery quietly wept. The judge faces 40 years to life in prison for killing Sheryl Ferguson on Aug. 3, 2023, following an alcohol-fueled argument at their Anaheim Hills home.

The jury returned its verdict after just eight hours of deliberations on Monday and Tuesday. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter thanked them for their service before scheduling a sentencing hearing for June 13.

"We recognize the difficult nature of this case and appreciate your careful consideration of the evidence," Hunter said.

The verdict capped another dramatic day in court after Hunter threatened to hold Ferguson in contempt for a hallway conversation overheard Tuesday morning. A juror was within earshot as Ferguson discussed the possibility of an acquittal, but Hunter questioned the panel and determined they had not heard the exchange.

"It was brought to my attention that Mr. Ferguson was sitting outside the courtroom this morning while jurors were waiting and having a conversation with a bail bondsman who congratulated him about his case," Hunter told the parties outside of the presence of the jury. "This clearly borders the line of contempt."

Under oath, the bailiff told Hunter he saw Ferguson sitting with his son as jurors waited to be let into the courtroom. He said that a bail bondsman had approached Ferguson and commented on the case in violation of court orders, saying, "Talley did a fantastic job during closing. I think you're going to get off."

He was referring to Ferguson's defense attorney, Cameron J. Talley.

Ferguson responded, "Juries are unpredictable. They can go one way or another. You just never know," the bailiff told Hunter.

Hunter questioned each juror individually to determine if they had overheard the hallway exchange. Satisfied they hadn't, she sent them back to deliberate. After the lunch break, she returned to the courtroom.

Hunter has been frustrated with Ferguson throughout a first trial that ended in a hung jury and the second one because he has frequently become emotional in front of the jury, tried to direct questioning while on the witness stand and gave teary TV interviews.

"At some point, my orders have no effect," she told Talley. "When I give Mr. Ferguson orders, they mean nothing to Mr. Ferguson. There needs to be some consequences to not following rules and codes."

"I believe Mr. Ferguson is attempting to influence this jury," Hunter continued. "He wants the jury to see him, and he gave the interviews and cried on TV and told everyone that he was already in a jail in his head so he could taint the jury pool which was clearly the only reason for him to do what he did."

Talley responded: "I understand the court's frustration and the court's desire and obligation to keep this proceeding free from external forces, and there's no point in denying that."

Hunter said she would return at 3 p.m. to decide Ferguson's punishment, possibly jailing him again or holding him in criminal contempt. But while she was in chambers, the jury returned with its verdict.

The conviction came after Ferguson's first trial ended with a hung jury in March, with jurors voting 11-1 for conviction. Throughout both trials, Ferguson maintained that the shooting was accidental, claiming his .40-caliber Glock discharged while he was placing it on a cluttered table.

Prosecutors successfully argued that Ferguson, a former prosecutor with decades of firearms experience, knew exactly what he was doing when he pulled his concealed weapon from an ankle holster during the heated domestic dispute. Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt pointed to Ferguson's damning text message sent to his courtroom bailiff minutes after the shooting: "I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won't be in tomorrow. I'll be in custody. I'm so sorry."

Jurors also heard how Ferguson raged about being guilty while in custody the night of the shooting. "I killed her. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, convict my ass. I did it!"

Evidence at trial showed he had been drinking alcohol throughout the day of the shooting.

The case revealed troubling details about Ferguson's behavior as a judge, including testimony that he regularly drank alcohol at lunch and carried a concealed weapon while on duty. The Orange County District Attorney's Office has launched an investigation into cases Ferguson may have handled while impaired.

The trial highlighted family drama when Ferguson's son Phillip testified that six years ago, they discovered Kevin, Ferguson's older son, wasn't his biological child, allegedly causing ongoing tension between Ferguson and his wife.

During the retrial, Hunter accused Ferguson of using emotional displays in the courtroom and in TV interviews to sway the jury. The case drew national attention because of Ferguson's role as a judge, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake during the opening statements.