A California judge accused of killing his wife is still raking in his nearly $250,000 salary, despite being held behind
A California judge who’s behind bars for allegedly murdering his wife is still getting paid his nearly $250,000 yearly salary while he’s in jail, according to a report.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74 — who is charged with fatally shooting his wife in front of their son — has been collecting compensation while he’s awaiting trial, according to the Orange County Register.
A judge accused of killing his wife is still receiving his $250,000 salary and $22,000 in benefits even though he’s behind bars. Anaheim Police Department
“I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry,” Ferguson allegedly wrote. Sheryl Ferguson/FacebookThe Golden State’s laws provide that judges facing criminal charges must continue to be paid unless they are ultimately convicted.
Ferguson — who is accused of slaying wife Sheryl Ferguson, 65, at their Anaheim Hills home on Aug. 3, 2023 — raked in $220,000 in salary and another $22,000 in benefits in 2023, the outlet reported.
“Our records show that Judge Ferguson is still receiving his state monthly salary,” a spokesperson with California state courts also confirmed to the Register.
Ferguson was sworn in as a Superior Court Judge in March 2015. Sheryl Ferguson/FacebookThe judge had been out on $1 million bail but landed back in the clink in September for allegedly trying to cover-up the fact that he allegedly drank alcohol while he was out, violating his bail conditions. Ferguson denied the new allegation.
Prosecutors claim that when patrol officers arrived at the scene of the fatal shooting, Ferguson smelled of alcohol.
Prosecutors say Ferguson shot his wife in the chest after fighting at a restaurant. AP
The fatal shooting happened Aug, 3, 2023. APThe alleged violation resulted in his bail being doubled from $1 million to $2 million. As of Tuesday records still showed Ferguson as in custody.
If he posts bail, he’ll be hit with a new condition prohibiting him from entering any place that sells alcohol — where the prior condition simply barred him from going into bars or liquor stores.
Prosecutors say that Ferguson confessed to the killing to his bailiff and court clerk, saying: “I just lost it. I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry.”
Ferguson’s lawyers have claimed it wasn’t a premeditated, but instead was “a terribly unfortunate accidental discharge.”
Ferguson hasn’t been on the bench since his arrest and his cases were reassigned to another judge. His cases are being handled by a Los Angeles court on conflict of interest grounds.
