Overview
- Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter imposed the sentence in Santa Ana on Wednesday.
- Hunter denied a defense bid for a new trial, rejecting claims of inadequate preparation and an unavailable expert as she cited overwhelming evidence including Ferguson’s post-shooting text and custodial statements.
- Jurors found the former judge guilty of second-degree murder in April and affirmed gun enhancements after a first jury deadlocked 11–1 in March.
- Prosecutors said Ferguson, 74, drank heavily then drew a .40-caliber Glock from an ankle holster and shot his wife during an argument, while the defense maintained the gun accidentally fired when his injured shoulder failed.
- The district attorney said his office will review Ferguson’s prior cases, and authorities previously seized 47 firearms and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition from his home.