A mistrial was declared on Monday in the high-profile murder trial of 74-year-old Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who was accused of killing his wife in their Anaheim Hills home in August 2023.
After eight days of deliberations, the jury was deadlocked 11-1 in favor of convicting Ferguson of second-degree murder, forcing Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter to declare a mistrial around 11 a.m. The panel, which had expressed exhaustion last week, was unable to reach a unanimous decision despite continued deliberations and additional arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
Prosecutors accused Ferguson of implied malice murder, arguing that he acted with conscious disregard for human life when he pulled a loaded firearm from his ankle holster during an argument with his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, while intoxicated. Senior Deputy District Attorney Seton Hunt compared Ferguson’s conduct to that of a convicted drunk driver who causes a fatal accident after being warned of the risks.
Hunt emphasized that Ferguson’s act of grabbing the gun, regardless of whether he intended to fire, was reckless enough to warrant a second-degree murder conviction. “The act of pulling out the gun while intoxicated was inherently dangerous,” Hunt stated.
The defense, led by attorney Cameron Talley, countered that the shooting was purely accidental. Talley pointed out that Ferguson had a severe shoulder injury, missing three out of four tendons, and was simply trying to place the gun on the coffee table when his shoulder gave out, causing him to fumble the weapon. The gun discharged in the process, resulting in his wife’s death.
Talley argued that Ferguson never intentionally pointed the gun at his wife and did not act with malice. “This was an accident,” Talley said, adding that the physical evidence, including the trajectory of the bullet, supported that claim. He further contended that convicting Ferguson of involuntary manslaughter — a charge based on criminal negligence — was still inappropriate since there was no clear unlawful act.
The jury signaled on Monday that they were at an impasse, unable to unanimously decide on a second-degree murder conviction. Despite multiple rounds of voting, the panel remained split 11-1, ultimately leading to the mistrial.
Judge Hunter initially allowed both sides to make brief supplemental arguments to address the jury’s confusion over the definition of implied malice and whether Ferguson’s actions constituted a reckless disregard for human life. However, those arguments did not resolve the deadlock.
The prosecution now has the option to retry the case or potentially offer a plea deal. Meanwhile, Ferguson remains charged with second-degree murder with sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a firearm causing death.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will now determine whether to pursue a retrial or attempt to negotiate a plea. The case has drawn national attention due to Ferguson’s status as a judge and the tragic nature of the incident.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Ferguson could face 15 years to life in prison. However, if reduced to involuntary manslaughter, his sentence could significantly decrease. The defense is expected to push hard for a resolution that does not include a murder conviction.
This case has reignited debates about accountability among public officials and whether personal conduct, such as intoxication while armed, should carry higher legal consequences.
