Mistrial declared in case of California Judge Jeffrey Ferguson accused of killing wife while watching TV

A mistrial has been declared in the case of Southern California Judge Jeffrey Ferguson who was accused of fatally shooting his wife in 2023 after more than a week of deliberations.A Los Angeles Superior Court made the ruling Monday when one of the twelve jurors did not find that Ferguson was guilty of murdering his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, and forced the jury into an 11-1 deadlock, according to reports.Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said prosecutors are “prepared to retry” the case.“Eleven-to-one for guilty is a phenomenal success,” Spitzer said.Members of Spitzer’s office are planning to meet with Sheryl Ferguson’s family in the near future to decide on a course of action.“She died in cold blood, and we’re going to get justice to the best of our ability,” he said.Jeffrey Ferguson’s attorney, Cameron Talley, said he hopes prosecutors will not pursue a retrial given the judge’s age and thinks “the evidence shows there was never any intent to intentionally kill anybody.”Sheryl Ferguson’s brother, Larry Rosen, was pleased with the ruling, telling reporters Monday that he believes the shooting was an accident.“To me, it shows the jury, at least to some degree, is as conflicted as I am,” Rosen said.“I just don’t think murder is the right call.

I really don’t.”Ferguson, 74, is accused of shooting his wife of 27 years at their Anaheim Hills home in Orange County on Aug.3, 2023.The couple had been out to dinner and drinking with his adult son, Phillip Ferguson, from a prior marriage, where they began arguing.

Sheryl, 65, was upset about the lack of gratitude his son showed toward them for the financial support the couple provided him.After returning to their Anaheim Hills home in Orange County, the couple continued to argue while watching the hit crime series “Breaking Bad.”His wife then dared him to point a gun at her during the heated exchange.Ferguson then pulled a loaded gun from his ankle holster and fatally sh...