California judge who allegedly texted court staff that he shot his wife is expected to appear in court

A Southern California judge charged with killing his wife during an argument while he was drunk is expected to appear Tuesday in court.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ferguson, who is free on $1 million bail, is set to be arraigned on a murder charge in a Los Angeles courtroom. The hearing is scheduled there because Ferguson has been a judge hearing criminal cases in a courtroom about 25 miles to the southeast in Orange County.

The 72-year-old was arrested on Aug. 3 at his home in the upscale neighborhood of Anaheim Hills after police found his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, shot to death. Police said said she suffered from at least one gunshot wound.