A California judge accused of murdering his wife is still earning a salary of nearly $250,000 despite being behind bars.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, is accused of killing his wife in Anaheim Hills last year. According to KTLA. He was charged with multiple felonies in connection with the shooting death of 65-year-old Cheryl Ferguson on August 3, 2023. He is being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles County.
Ferguson, who was a prosecutor before becoming a judge in 2015, was initially released on $1 million bail but is now back in jail after allegedly lying about drinking while awaiting trial. are.
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Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, is accused of killing his wife in Anaheim Hills last year. (Anaheim Police Department)
Judges will earn a salary of more than $220,000 in 2023, with an additional $22,000 in benefits, according to . orange county register. Even after he allegedly shot and killed his wife, he was still awarded $242,000 in restitution.
He is charged with two counts of felony murder: personal use of a firearm and discharging a firearm causing serious injury or death. If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
Mr. Ferguson has maintained his innocence, but prosecutors said he confessed to the killing during a text message exchange with a court clerk and bailiff.
Ferguson is charged with felony murder with two felony enhancements. (Getty Images)
“I just shot my wife. I won't be able to leave tomorrow. I'll be detained. I'm so sorry,” Ferguson wrote.
Prosecutors said that after Mr. Ferguson and his wife got into an argument at a restaurant, they returned home and continued the argument, after which Mr. Ferguson pulled a handgun from his ankle holster and shot his wife in the chest. The couple's adult son claimed his father was drunk at the time.
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The judge earned a salary of more than $220,000 in 2023, plus an additional $22,000 in benefits. (St. Petersburg)
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According to a report in the Orange County Register, the California Constitution states that a judge charged with a felony can be disqualified from serving as a judge, but that changing a judge's status does not include loss of salary. As a result, judges continue to receive salaries.
Judges can only be suspended without pay if they are convicted of a felony.
