California Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea in Murder Case

In a turn of events, a judge from Southern California has been charged with the murder of his wife during an alcohol-induced argument. However, the judge, Ricardo Ocampo, has pleaded not guilty and claims that it was an accidental shooting. The prosecution’s request for new bail conditions, such as surrendering his passport, submitting to searches, and wearing monitoring devices for blood alcohol content and GPS, was granted by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson. In addition, Ferguson is now prohibited from owning firearms and alcohol, as well as from visiting bars and liquor stores, while being free on $1 million bail.

Following the hearing, Ferguson’s legal team expressed confidence that a jury would rule in their favor, maintaining that this was an unintentional and accidental shooting, rather than a crime. Attorney Paul Meyer stated this to the press. The next hearing in Ferguson’s case has been scheduled for October 30. The 72-year-old judge was arrested on August 3 at his residence in the upscale neighborhood of Anaheim Hills after the police found his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, shot to death.

According to court filings, prosecutors claimed that the couple had been engaged in an argument and Ferguson was intoxicated when he retrieved a pistol from an ankle holster and shot his wife in the chest. After the incident, Ferguson’s adult son and the judge himself called 911. Further evidence presented in the court filings indicated that Ferguson had texted his court clerk and bailiff, admitting to the shooting and expressing remorse. He sent a message 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 has been charged with one count of murder and weapons-related enhancements. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the Southern California legal community and authorities are still grappling with how to handle the case. (Read more California stories.)