• A California judge, Jeffrey Ferguson, was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting of his wife.
• The incident occurred during a drunken argument over finances while watching television at home.
• Ferguson faces 40 years to life in prison at his sentencing on June 13.
• He had been previously acquitted when a jury deadlocked in his first trial.
• The case has shocked the legal community in Orange County, where Ferguson previously presided.

Jeffrey Ferguson, a 74-year-old judge from Orange County, California, was convicted of second-degree murder on Tuesday for fatally shooting his wife, 65-year-old Sheryl Ferguson, during a domestic dispute on August 3, 2023. The jury reached its verdict after just one day of deliberations, with the prosecution presenting evidence of alcohol use and a heated argument about family finances while the couple watched "Breaking Bad" at home. Ferguson had been arguing with his wife during a dinner at a restaurant prior to the incident, according to Sfgate, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and HuffPost.

During the trial, Ferguson admitted to shooting his wife but claimed it was an accident. Prosecutors established that during the argument, Ferguson had pulled out his handgun from an ankle holster after his wife challenged him with the statement, "Why don’t you point a real gun at me?" This prompted Ferguson to fire a single bullet into her midsection, as revealed in the testimonies presented. Ferguson texted his staff immediately after the incident, stating, "I just lost it. I just shot my wife," showing his awareness of the severity of his actions, according to Sfgate, Los Angeles Times, and New York Times.

The judge, who had previously served as a prosecutor and was known in the legal community, was taken into custody following the verdict. His defense attorney, Cameron Talley, indicated plans to appeal the decision and highlighted discrepancies in the testimonies of witnesses, particularly their son Phillip, who was present during the shooting. The pair's financial disputes, along with issues surrounding Ferguson's alcohol use and previous behavior, played a significant role in the prosecution's case, illustrating a turbulent home life, as reported by HuffPost and Los Angeles Times.

Following the verdict, Ferguson is set to face sentencing on June 13, where he could receive a term ranging from 40 years to life in prison due to the firearms enhancement associated with the murder charge. This conviction follows a previous trial where the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, underlining the high stakes and emotional weight of the case for the involved family and the local community, according to New York Times and HuffPost.