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We have some disturbing news to report out of the Orange County, California, legal community, where a criminal court judge was recently arrested in the shooting death of his wife.
Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, was arrested late last week outside of his Anaheim Hills home on suspicion of murder. His wife, Sheryl Ferguson, was later found dead from at least one gunshot wound inside the home. The Los Angeles Times has additional details:
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One other person who was in the home at the time of the shooting was not injured, Anaheim police Sgt. Jon McClintock said.
Law enforcement sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to publicly discuss the case said that the person was one of the Fergusons’ adult sons, and that he had called 911 and attempted to perform CPR on his mother.
Police have recovered the weapon that was used to kill Sheryl Ferguson, according to anonymous sources.
“It’s not Jeff. I would imagine he better get some medical counseling. To take out your wife, you’re not in your right mind,” a family friend told the Times. “Something is not right here.”
Ferguson has not yet been formally charged with murder, and is free on a $1 million bond.
If you’re involved in a verbally or physically abusive relationship, there are friends, family, and colleagues you can call. If you’re a victim of domestic violence, reach out if you need help, before it’s too late. If you feel that you are in immediate danger, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
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Orange County judge arrested after his wife is shot to death in their home. ‘It’s a shock’ [Los Angeles Times]
Criminal court judge, 72, arrested in wife’s shooting death [ABA Journal]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.