A California judge, accused of killing his wife, is still receiving his nearly $250,000 salary while being held behind bars. Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, allegedly shot and killed his 65-year-old wife in Anaheim Hills last year. He is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the fatal shooting on August 3, 2023, and is currently held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles County.
Prior to becoming a judge in 2015, Ferguson served as a prosecutor. Despite being initially released on $1 million bail, he was returned to jail after allegedly lying about consuming alcohol while awaiting trial. In 2023, Ferguson earned over $220,000 in salary along with $22,000 in benefits, which continued to be paid to him even after the incident.
The charges against Ferguson include felony murder with enhancements for personal firearm use and causing great bodily injury and death. If convicted on all counts, he could face a sentence of 40 years to life in prison. Although he has pleaded not guilty, prosecutors claim he confessed to the killing in text messages to his court clerk and bailiff.
According to prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred after an argument between Ferguson and his wife at a restaurant, which escalated when they returned home. Ferguson allegedly retrieved a pistol from his ankle holster and shot his wife in the chest. Their adult son stated that his father was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Despite being disqualified from acting as a judge due to the felony charges, Ferguson continues to receive his salary as per the California Constitution. The law stipulates that a judge facing felony charges does not lose their salary until a felony conviction, at which point they may be suspended without pay.
