A mistrial has been declared within the 2023 homicide case of an Orange County decide who’s accused of capturing and killing his spouse, the Related Press confirmed.
A decide declared a mistrial on Monday after a jury was unable to succeed in a unanimous verdict within the case towards Superior Courtroom Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, who was charged with capturing and killing his spouse Sheryl Ferguson of their Anaheim Hills residence in August 2023.
The jury deliberated for greater than 40 hours over eight days earlier than figuring out they had been unable to interrupt the 11-1 stalemate on a second-degree homicide cost, the outlet reported.
Prosecutors advised the AP that they’re planning to retry the case.
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Decide Ferguson’s lawyer says it was an “unintended capturing.” (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes, Pool)
Orange County District Legal professional Todd Spitzer shared a press release with Fox Information Digital on the mistrial being declared and mentioned they had been dissatisfied with the result however will proceed to assessment what info the jury was introduced with.
“Justice rests within the palms of 12 strangers who had been taken from their on a regular basis lives and given the immense accountability to weigh the proof and decide guilt or innocence,” Spitzer mentioned.
“Though we’re dissatisfied with the result, we shall be reviewing the questions introduced by the jury together with the details in addition to assembly with the sufferer’s household so as to decide within the coming weeks concerning this case. The District Legal professional has at all times been out there to satisfy with the sufferer’s household ought to that be one thing they request.”
The capturing occurred after Ferguson and his spouse had an argument at a restaurant, when the 2 returned residence and continued the argument earlier than he pulled a pistol from his ankle holster and shot her within the chest, in keeping with prosecutors.
The couple’s grownup son claimed that his father was drunk on the time of the argument.
Ferguson, who was a prosecutor earlier than he turned a decide in 2015, was initially launched on $1 million bail however is now again in jail after he allegedly lied about consuming alcohol whereas awaiting trial.
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Orange County Superior Courtroom Decide Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, was on trial for the deadly capturing of his spouse at their residence. (Anaheim Police Division)
Ferguson has pleaded not responsible, however prosecutors mentioned he confessed to the killing when texting together with his court docket clerk and bailiff.
“I simply shot my spouse. I will not be in tomorrow. I shall be in custody. I am so sorry,” Ferguson allegedly wrote.
Prosecutors say Ferguson was consuming and shot her on function throughout the argument, whereas Ferguson claims the gun went off unintentionally as he eliminated it from its holster.
Authorities discovered 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition within the residence, that are legally owned.
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Prosecutors say Ferguson was consuming and shot her on function throughout the argument, whereas Ferguson claims the gun went off unintentionally as he eliminated it from its holster. (AP Picture/Damian Dovarganes, Larry Rosen by way of AP)
The decide’s legal professional advised the outlet that he’s hopeful there may be an settlement with prosecutors attributable to Ferguson’s age and the assist he’s obtained from his spouse’s brother and the couple’s son.
“I do suppose the proof reveals there was by no means any intent to deliberately kill anyone,” Cameron Talley advised reporters, including Ferguson’s life has already been destroyed, and he’s nonetheless saddened by the lack of his spouse.
Larry Rosen, Sheryl Ferguson’s brother, advised reporters he was happy with the result and doesn’t imagine the killing was homicide, including he and his brothers really feel the capturing was an accident, and he would love prosecutors to succeed in a take care of Ferguson.
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“To me, it reveals the jury, not less than to some extent, is as conflicted as I’m,” Rosen mentioned. “I simply don’t suppose homicide is the fitting name. . I actually don’t.”
A listening to to set a brand new trial date is scheduled for Thursday.
Fox Information Digital’s Landon Mion and the Related Press contributed to this report.
Stepheny Value is a author for Fox Information Digital and Fox Enterprise. She covers matters together with lacking individuals, homicides, nationwide crime circumstances, unlawful immigration, and extra. Story suggestions and concepts may be despatched to stepheny.worth@fox.com
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