
Mistrial Declared in California Judge’s Murder Trial
A mistrial has been declared in the murder trial of Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, accused of killing his wife. The decision came after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, leading to a deadlock in the high-profile case.
Judge Ferguson was charged with the murder of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, in August 2023. The trial, which captured significant media attention, began in early 2025 and was closely followed due to the involvement of a sitting judge.
The prosecution argued that Ferguson shot his wife following a heated argument, while the defense claimed the shooting was an accident. Despite extensive testimony and evidence presented over several weeks, the jury remained divided on Ferguson's guilt or innocence.
Following the mistrial announcement, the Orange County District Attorney's Office has indicated they intend to retry the case. The next steps and a new trial date are yet to be determined, leaving the community and legal observers awaiting further developments in this ongoing saga.