After an Orange County judge was charged with murder for fatally shooting his wife, the case ended in a mistrial. Jeffrey Ferguson spoke exclusively with NBC Los Angeles, stating that the shooting was accidental and refusing to accept criticism that it was intentional. Ferguson expressed relief and disappointment at the jury’s inability to reach a unanimous verdict.
He described his experience in the courtroom charged with his wife’s murder as being in the Twilight Zone, stating that it was bewildering and hard to comprehend. The jury split 11-1 in favor of a guilty verdict for second-degree murder, leading to the mistrial.
During closing arguments, prosecutors claimed that Ferguson was upset after a dispute with his wife, resulting in him pulling out a gun and killing her intentionally. Defense attorneys argued that the shooting was accidental, with Ferguson denying any intention to harm his wife.
Ferguson’s son provided testimony that indicated his father aimed the gun at his mother and fired, contradicting the accidental shooting theory. Blood-alcohol levels were also brought into question, indicating potential intoxication at the time of the shooting.
The defense challenged the prosecution’s theory through expert and forensic evidence, arguing that the shooting was accidental based on the trajectory of the bullet and the absence of muzzle flash in surveillance video. The case will likely undergo further review, with a new trial date being scheduled.
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