Jurors heard a prosecutor state that a Southern California judge fatally shot his wife during a television-watching argument by pulling a loaded gun from his ankle holster when his trial began on Wednesday.
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The recordings played in court show Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, aged 74, admitting he shot his wife Sheryl Ferguson.
Ferguson mimicked a gun gesture at her during the evening and she later teased him to hold an actual firearm toward her according to Hunt.
Hunt reported that Ferguson acted on her taunt and discharged his firearm.
After being taken into custody police video recorded him asking a jury to find him guilty.
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“I killed her,” Ferguson is heard saying. “I did it.”
Ferguson took on the role of defendant in court wearing a gray suit jacket with glasses as he sat in the defendant’s chair after his previous career as a criminal prosecutor.
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He has pleaded not guilty.
Cameron J. Talley saved his opening statement until later in the proceedings although he had already stated that Ferguson shot accidentally.
He said his client planned to testify.
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After the shooting, Ferguson and his son both called 911, and Ferguson texted his court clerk and bailiff saying: “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 a copy of a text message Hunt showed jurors.
