A California judge accused of murdering his wife continues to earn nearly $250K
A California judge accused of murdering his wife is still earning his nearly $250,000 salary, even though he’s behind bars.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, is accused of killing his wife last year in Anaheim Hills, according to KTLA. He has been charged with multiple charges in connection with the August 3, 2023, shooting death of Sheryl Ferguson, 65. He is being held at the Los Angeles County Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
Ferguson, who was a prosecutor before becoming a judge in 2015, was initially released on $1 million bail but is now back in jail after he allegedly lied about drinking alcohol while awaiting trial.
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Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, is accused of killing his wife last year in Anaheim Hills. (Anaheim Police Department)
The judge made more than $220,000 in salary in 2023, with an additional $22,000 in benefits, according to the Orange County Register. The $242,000 settlement continued to be paid to him even after the alleged shooting death of his wife.
He is charged with first degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and discharging a firearm causing injury and death. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to 40 years in prison.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors said he confessed to the murder in a letter to his court clerk and bailiff.
Ferguson is charged with two counts of aggravated murder. (Getty Images)
“I just shot my wife. I’m not going in tomorrow. I’m going to be put in jail. I’m so sorry,” Ferguson wrote.
After Ferguson and his wife got into an argument at a restaurant, the two returned home and continued the argument before he pulled a gun from his ankle and shot her in the chest, according to prosecutors. The eldest son of the couple says that his father was drinking at the time.
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The judge made more than $220,000 in salary in 2023, plus an additional $22,000 in benefits. (Stock)
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The judge continues to receive his salary because the California Constitution states that a judge who faces criminal charges is ineligible to serve as a judge but the change in his judicial status does not include a loss of salary, the Orange County Register reported.
A judge will be suspended without pay after a criminal conviction.
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