The Orange County judge accused of shooting and killing his wife had a concealed weapon permit for family protection, according to a new report.
Documents revealed that Judge Jeffrey Ferguson renewed his application in March 2021 for “for self-protection and protection of my immediate family due to my current, ongoing and past service in Orange County,” according to the Orange County Register.The outlet noted the permit was revoked following Ferguson’s arrest.
Ferguson served as a judge in the North Justice Center in Fullerton. He also worked in the Orange County District Attorney's Office, where he became a senior prosecutor for the Major Narcotics Enforcement Team, City News Service reported.
While police recovered 47 weapons from Ferguson’s home, the District Attorney’s Office noted that a “.22 rifle legally registered to Ferguson remains unaccounted for.”
On Aug. 3, officers responded to the 8500 block of Canyon Vista Drive following a reported shooting. When they arrived, they found Ferguson’s 65-year-old wife Sheryl, with a gunshot wound. She died at the scene.
Ferguson was booked and released after posting $1 million bail.
He was charged with murder with sentencing enhancements on Aug. 11. A complaint revealed that both Ferguson and his son called 911 after the shooting. Ferguson told the dispatcher he didn’t want to discuss if he shot his wife; however, he texted his court clerk and bailiff, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won't be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I'm so sorry."
He pled not guilty in a downtown Los Angeles court on Aug. 15.His next court hearing is Oct. 30.
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