West

Judge declares mistrial in case against California judge accused of killing his wife

Published

12 months ago

March 14, 2025

Judge declares mistrial in case against California judge accused of killing his wife

A mistrial has been declared in the 2023 murder case of an Orange County judge who is accused of shooting and killing his wife, the Associated Press confirmed.

A judge declared a mistrial on Monday after a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case against Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, who was charged with shooting and killing his wife Sheryl Ferguson in their Anaheim Hills home in August 2023.

The jury deliberated for more than 40 hours over eight days before determining they were unable to break the 11-1 stalemate on a second-degree murder charge, the outlet reported.

Prosecutors told the AP that they are planning to retry the case.

CALIFORNIA JUDGE WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED HIS WIFE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NEARLY $250K SALARY

Judge Ferguson’s lawyer says it was an “accidental shooting.” (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, Pool)

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer shared a statement with Fox News Digital on the mistrial being declared and said they were disappointed with the outcome but will continue to review what information the jury was presented with.

“Justice rests in the hands of 12 strangers who were taken from their everyday lives and given the immense responsibility to weigh the evidence and determine guilt or innocence,” Spitzer said.

“Although we are disappointed with the outcome, we will be reviewing the questions presented by the jury along with the facts as well as meeting with the victim’s family in order to make a decision in the coming weeks regarding this case. The District Attorney has always been available to meet with the victim’s family should that be something they request.”

The shooting happened after Ferguson and his wife had an argument at a restaurant, when the two returned home and continued the argument before he pulled a pistol from his ankle holster and shot her in the chest, according to prosecutors.

The couple’s adult son claimed that his father was drunk at the time of the argument.

Ferguson, who was a prosecutor before he became 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.

CA JUDGE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO KILLING SPOUSE AFTER ALLEGEDLY TEXTING COURT STAFF ‘I JUST SHOT MY WIFE’

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 72, was on trial for the fatal shooting of his wife at their home. (Anaheim Police Department)

Ferguson has pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors said he confessed to the killing when texting with his court clerk and bailiff.

“I just shot my wife. I won’t be in tomorrow. I will be in custody. I’m so sorry,” Ferguson allegedly wrote.

Prosecutors say Ferguson was drinking and shot her on purpose during the argument, while Ferguson claims the gun went off accidentally as he removed it from its holster.

Authorities found 47 weapons and over 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the home, which are legally owned.

CALIFORNIA JUDGE TEXTED BAILIFF ‘I WON’T BE IN TOMORROW’ AFTER ALLEGEDLY KILLING HIS WIFE: POLICE

Prosecutors say Ferguson was drinking and shot her on purpose during the argument, while Ferguson claims the gun went off accidentally as he removed it from its holster. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, Larry Rosen via AP)

The judge’s attorney told the outlet that he is hopeful there might be an agreement with prosecutors due to Ferguson’s age and the support he’s received from his wife’s brother and the couple’s son.

“I do think the evidence shows there was never any intent to intentionally kill anybody,” Cameron Talley told reporters, adding Ferguson’s life has already been destroyed, and he is still saddened by the loss of his wife.

Larry Rosen, Sheryl Ferguson’s brother, told reporters he was pleased with the outcome and doesn’t believe the killing was murder, adding he and his brothers feel the shooting was an accident, and he would like prosecutors to reach a deal with Ferguson.

“To me, it shows the jury, at least to some degree, is as conflicted as I am,” Rosen said. “I just don’t think murder is the right call. . I really don’t.”

A hearing to set a new trial date is scheduled for Thursday.

Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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West

Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2026

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Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

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First responders in Nevada carried out a dramatic seven-hour rescue after a climber was seriously injured while stranded roughly 600 feet up a steep rock face near Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said search and rescue teams were notified around noon Saturday about an injured climber on the “Dream Safari” route along Dark Shadows Wall in Pine Creek.

Authorities said the climber had fallen an estimated 40 to 50 feet, suffering severe head and back injuries.

The victim’s climbing partner and a guide from another climbing party reached the injured climber and controlled the bleeding while awaiting rescue crews.

Rescuers secured the climber in a titanium litter and lowered the patient in stages down the rock face. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Four search and rescue officers and a lead climb volunteer were inserted by the department’s AIR3 helicopter several hundred feet above the victim at the top of the route.

Rescuers then rappelled down the rock face, provided medical treatment while suspended mid-face, and secured the patient in a titanium litter.

Crews constructed a lowering system and brought the climber several hundred feet down to the ground through three separate lowering stations, with a rescuer attending to the patient during the descent.

RAFTER VANISHES IN OREGON WILDERNESS, SURVIVES FIVE-DAY ORDEAL BEFORE HELICOPTER RESCUE

Las Vegas police search and rescue teams spent seven hours lowering an injured climber 600 feet to safety. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Once at the base, additional volunteers carried the litter to an extraction point where the helicopter returned to airlift the victim to a Bureau of Land Management helipad.

The climber was then transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

NORWEGIAN CLIMBER LOOKING TO BECOME FASTEST PERSON TO CLIMB WORLD’S 14 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS

The climber’s helmet was destroyed in the fall but likely saved the person’s life, officials said. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

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LVMPD wrote on Facebook that the entire operation lasted about seven hours from initial insertion to final extraction.

“Although the victim’s helmet was destroyed during the fall, it likely saved their life,” police said.

Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.

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San Francisco, CA

Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

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Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — ABC7 Eyewitness News got a sneak peak as crews put the finishing touches on the floats you’ll see at Saturday’s San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade.

Since it’s the year of the fire horse, you’ll see a lot of horses and fire symbolism on the floats, housed at Pier 19.

“So Year of the Horse, it’s energy, it’s passion, it’s momentum so a lot of things that we’re really hoping to embody in the new year,” said Stephanie Mufson, owner of San Francisco-based The Parade Guys, which designs and constructs the floats.

She said they’ve been building them for about three months, with the designs starting in November.

MORE: Bay Area artist brings Year of the Horse statue to life for Golden State Warriors

“We’re in the home stretch,” she said. “We’ve got a couple of days left and we’ve got a nice little team that’s cranking out all the finishing work that needs to go into it.”

Derrick Shavers was sanding some wood that will be painted and become cherry blossom trees on a float.

“It’s exciting,” Shavers said. “I look forward to coming every year and just creating and making things shine and sparkle.”

Bon was painting mountains for a float, making sure everything is perfect in time for the parade.

MORE: Meet the 2026 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade mascot, Maverick

“It’s one of the few parades that actually happens at night still,” Bon said. “So we got to make sure all the lighting is in check, and people are safe on the float. It’s all in the details, just for it to walk by you for 10 seconds.”

Ten seconds that bring so much joy to those watching the parade.

Here’s how you can watch the parade on ABC7 Eyewitness News on Saturday, March 7.

Coverage starts at 5 p.m. wherever you stream ABC7.

SF Chinese New Year Parade 2026: How to watch ABC7 Eyewitness News live coverage

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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Denver, CO

Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Class 5A Sweet 16 has arrived, and both Grand Junction and Palisade are still standing with trips to the Great Eight in Denver on the line.

At The Jungle, the No. 2 seed Grand Junction Tigers set the tone early against No. 18 Golden. Defense carried the Tigers from the opening tip as they held the Demons to nine first quarter points while scoring 16 of their own.

Grand Junction added eight points in the second quarter while Golden managed six, sending the Tigers into halftime with a nine point lead.

Golden responded in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Junction 16 to 11 to cut the deficit to five entering the fourth. The Tigers answered in the final period, attacking the rim and converting key shots to win the quarter 19 to 10. Grand Junction secured a 54 to 41 victory to protect its home court and advance to the Great Eight in Denver.

Top seeded Palisade also defended its home floor with a trip to Denver at stake. The Bulldogs opened with nine straight points to energize a packed gym, but Frederick settled in and closed the first quarter on a run to tie the game at nine.

Frederick continued to respond in the second quarter and took an eight point lead into halftime.

Palisade shifted momentum after the break. The Bulldogs tightened defensively, holding Frederick to 21 points in the second half while scoring 39 of their own. Palisade completed the comeback to advance to the Great Eight.

Colorado Mesa University Women Deliver Historic RMAC Tournament Win

In collegiate action, the top seeded Colorado Mesa University women’s basketball team defeated Colorado School of Mines 96 to 51 in the RMAC Tournament, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament this century.

Olivia Reed-Thyne led the Mavericks with 34 points on 11 of 15 shooting, her third 30 point performance this season. Mason Rowland added 22 points and Hallie Clark contributed 10 as Colorado Mesa matched a program record with its 31st win. The Mavericks will host the semifinals Friday with a berth in the championship game at stake.

Colorado Mesa University Men Survive Overtime Thriller

The Colorado Mesa University men’s basketball team faced New Mexico Highlands University for the third time this season. The Mavericks scored 36 first half points and led by four at the break.

New Mexico Highlands shot 50 percent in the second half, received 21 bench points and outscored Colorado Mesa 43 to 39 to force a late push. With the season in the balance, Ty Allred hit a game tying 3 pointer to make it 75 and send the game to overtime. Allred scored seven points in the extra period as Colorado Mesa earned a 91 to 90 victory to advance to the next round.

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