In a shocking turn of events, Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, 65, in their Anaheim home. The incident took place on the evening of August 3, when authorities received reports of a shooting at the couple's residence.

As the investigation unfolded, prosecutors revealed that Ferguson had allegedly confessed to the shooting in a text message sent to court staff. In the message, which was received by his court clerk and bailiff, Ferguson admitted to the crime, stating, "I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won't be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I'm so sorry."

According to witnesses, the incident occurred following an argument between the couple at a restaurant earlier that evening. The argument escalated when they returned home, and at one point, Sheryl Ferguson reportedly made a comment suggesting that her husband should "point a real gun" at her. It was at this moment that Jeffrey Ferguson allegedly pulled out a pistol and shot his wife in the chest. Their adult son, who was present during the altercation, immediately called 911 to report the shooting.

Court documents revealed that the son informed the operator that his father had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before shooting his mother. When the police arrived at the scene, Ferguson was reportedly smelling of alcohol and expressed disbelief at his own actions, saying, "Oh man, I can't believe I did this."

Following his arrest, a search of the couple's home uncovered a shocking number of weapons and ammunition. Authorities discovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition, all legally owned by Ferguson. However, a rifle registered in his name was found to be missing. Concerned about public safety, prosecutors are seeking additional bail conditions, including the surrender of Ferguson's passport, the requirement of wearing an ankle monitor, and a ban on alcohol and firearms.

Jeffrey Ferguson has been serving as a judge since 2015, primarily handling criminal cases in the city of Fullerton. Prior to becoming a judge, he began his legal career in 1983 at the Orange County district attorney's office, where he gained recognition for his work on narcotics cases. In 2017, Ferguson faced disciplinary action from the Commission on Judicial Performance for posting a statement on Facebook about a judicial candidate without regard for the truth and for maintaining social media connections with attorneys appearing before him in court.

The tragic incident has left the Ferguson family devastated. In a statement released by Ferguson's attorneys, Paul Meyer and John Barnett, they expressed their condolences and asserted that the shooting was an accident. However, they declined to comment further on the ongoing case. Friends and acquaintances remember Sheryl Ferguson as an active and dedicated member of her son's Boy Scout troop, deeply involved in his progress and always willing to lend a helping hand.

On August 4, Jeffrey Ferguson was released on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 1. Prosecutors have charged him with murder, along with weapons-related enhancements, and are determined to seek justice for the victim. The shocking case has sent shockwaves throughout the Orange County community, raising questions about the responsibilities and conduct expected of those in positions of power and authority.