A Southern California judge was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of his wife during an argument.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, 74, was on trial for the 2023 killing of his wife Sheryl, 65, in their Anaheim Hills home. Ferguson took the stand in his defense and admitted to shooting his wife but claimed it was an accident.

Jurors reached their decision Tuesday afternoon after deliberating since the day before. He was also found guilty of a felony gun enhancement and faces a maximum of 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced June 13.

Once the verdict was read in court, Ferguson was seen hugging his son before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson is consoled by his attorney, Cameron Talley, after the verdict was read Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in Santa Ana, California. (AP)

Authorities said they found 47 weapons, including the gun used in the shooting, and more than 26,000 rounds of ammunition in the home. They said Ferguson had experience and training in firearms.

“This was not an accident. Ferguson was trained to never point a gun at anything he didn’t intend to destroy,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.

Ferguson was a prosecutor before he became a judge in 2015.

He had been out on $2 million bail but was not presiding in court as the state constitution prohibits a judge facing a felony charge from hearing cases.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.