Judge Accused of Killing Wife Has Bail Revoked Over Alcohol Violation

True Crime Today | A True Crime Podcast

A California judge accused of murdering his wife had his bail revoked after his ankle monitor detected alcohol in his system, violating the terms of his release. Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Malcolm Ferguson, 73, was taken into custody during a court hearing on Tuesday after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter found he had consumed alcohol, a breach of his bail conditions.
Ferguson faces charges for allegedly killing his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65, during an argument at their Anaheim Hills home on August 3. He was previously released on a $1 million bail but was ordered detained under an increased bail amount of $2 million while awaiting trial.
Prosecutors informed the court earlier this month that Ferguson's ankle monitor had twice detected alcohol in late August, including a reading of 0.14%, nearly twice the legal limit for driving. Ferguson denied drinking alcohol, attributing the readings to a health condition causing leg swelling, which he treated with cream and sanitizer. He suggested that these substances might have caused false positives on the monitor—a claim Judge Hunter rejected.
The incident leading to Sheryl Ferguson's death began with an argument at a restaurant on August 3, where Ferguson reportedly mimicked pointing a gun at his wife. The argument continued at home, where Sheryl allegedly said, "Why don't you point a real gun at me?" According to prosecutors, an intoxicated Ferguson then pulled a Glock .40-caliber pistol from his ankle holster and shot his wife in the chest in front of their adult son.
After the shooting, both Ferguson and his son called 911. Ferguson also allegedly texted his court clerk and bailiff, admitting to the shooting. "I just lost it. I just shot my wife," he purportedly wrote. "I won't be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I'm so sorry." Both recipients initially thought he was joking.
When police arrived, Ferguson was reportedly still wearing the empty ankle holster and asked officers to shoot him. Officers noted that he slurred his words and smelled of alcohol. A search of the home recovered the murder weapon and 47 other firearms, along with over 26,000 rounds of ammunition—all legally owned.
Ferguson has maintained that the shooting was accidental. "He would never intend to hurt her," his attorney, Ed Welbourn, said. "It was just a terribly tragic incident that occurred. The last thing he would try to do is hurt the love of his life."
He is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Jail, with a court date set for November 1, according to online booking records.
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