Southern California judge accused of killing wife released on $2 million bail

LOS ANGELES — A California judge accused of murdering his wife was released from prison on a bond of 2 million dollars.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson was released from the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, according to online jail records.

Ferguson, 74, was taken back into custody last month after the judge hearing his case decided he had lied about drinking alcohol while he was on bail.

Ferguson pleaded not guilty last year to the murder of his wife, Cheryl Ferguson, which his then-lawyer called accidental. Authorities said the couple got into an argument in August 2023 and Ferguson was drunk when he pulled a gun from a holster on his ankle and shot her in the chest.

Ferguson and his son called 911 and Ferguson texted his court clerk and bailiff saying, “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be there tomorrow. I will be in custody. I am very sorry,” the prosecutor’s office said. Authorities said they later found 47 weapons, including a handgun, and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition at Ferguson’s home.

According to his lawyer, Ed Welborn, the next court hearing in Ferguson’s case is scheduled for November 15.