Did an OC judge imply to kill his spouse? Trial set to find out if it was an accident or homicide

An Orange County Superior Court judge stated his son “will hate me perpetually” and will “punch me within the face” after the judge shot and killed his spouse of their Anaheim Hills dwelling, based on testimony at a listening to Thursday that ended with the judge being ordered to face trial on a homicide cost.

Judge Jeff Ferguson, 73, stands accused of killing his spouse, 65-year-old Sheryl Ferguson, throughout an argument and in entrance of their youthful son at their dwelling within the 8500 block of East Canyon Vista Drive simply previous 8 p.m., Aug. 3.

Defense legal professional T. Edward Welbourn argued there was inadequate proof to indicate Ferguson supposed to kill his spouse, citing interviews with their son, Phillip, the place he instructed a detective a minimum of as soon as that he thought the taking pictures might have been unintended.

Thursday’s preliminary listening to, the place prosecutors lay out a minimum of among the proof they’ve towards a defendant, centered totally on a trio of interviews between Anaheim Police Detective Michael Nguyen and the couple’s son, Phillip Ferguson, who was on the home when the taking pictures occurred. The detective’s testimony supplied extra particulars surrounding the taking pictures.

Prosecutors additionally referred to as up three Anaheim law enforcement officials who testified to statements Ferguson made after he was positioned in handcuffs that evening.

Anaheim police officer Joshua Juntilla recalled Ferguson saying, “What did I do? My son will hate me perpetually. Can you have got my son come over right here and punch me within the face as a result of I deserve it.”

Jeff Ferguson additionally requested a number of occasions if his spouse was nonetheless alive, and he stated he was “finished for some time,” referring to going to jail, Juntilla testified.

Nguyen testified that Phillip Ferguson stated he was strolling towards a sliding again door to go to the yard whereas his dad and mom argued when he heard his mom say one thing to the impact of, ‘Why don’t you level an actual gun at me?’ “

The son turned and noticed his father, on the sofa, with a gun in his proper hand pointed towards his mom, who was in a chair between 3-4 toes away earlier than the gun went off, Nguyen stated.

“He stated he had jumped over the sofa after the taking pictures to get the gun away from his father,” Nguyen testified, later clarifying that the son believed his dad would hurt himself with the weapon, moderately than shoot his spouse once more or flip towards his son.

The son stated Jeff Ferguson didn’t make any statements earlier than the shot was fired, Nguyen testified.

Phillip Ferguson, after taking the gun, positioned it subsequent to his mom, who was face down on the carpet subsequent to the chair. He referred to as 911, flipped his mom over and commenced making an attempt CPR till police arrived, Nguyen testified. She was pronounced dead on the dwelling.

During questioning from Welbourn, Nguyen testified that Phillip Ferguson stated his father at all times holds firearms with two fingers and characterised him as a “horrible shot.” Phillip Ferguson a minimum of as soon as instructed the detective he thought the taking pictures might have been unintended, as a result of his father “by no means shoots one-handed.”

Nguyen stated Phillip Ferguson instructed him his dad and mom began arguing about funds at a restaurant that evening, with Jeff Ferguson at one level placing his hand within the form of a gun and pointing it at his mom, main her to rise up and stroll away from the desk. They returned dwelling and watched “Breaking Bad” when the arguing began up once more.

Nguyen stated he arrived on the dwelling about 9:20 p.m. that evening, greater than an hour after the shot was fired, and noticed the gun on the tile within the kitchen space. He additionally noticed a chair with a bullet gap and blood on it.

Juntilla testified he arrived on the home and noticed Jeff Ferguson exterior, initially seated on a planter, however then on his toes. Juntilla stated he gave Ferguson instructions to get down on the bottom or get down on his knees, however Ferguson instructed him if he did, he wouldn’t be capable to get again up.

Jeff Ferguson additionally initially stated, “Just shoot me” as officers gave him instructions, however ultimately complied and was handcuffed, Juntilla testified, including there was a noticeable odor of alcohol emanating from Jeff Ferguson’s breath.

Anaheim police officer Andrew Compton testified that whereas Jeff Ferguson was on the Anaheim Police Department, Compton heard him say, “I simply killed my spouse.”