The prosecution alleges that Judge Ferguson purposely fired the gunshot that killed his wife during a heated argument in front of their adult son at their home. But Ferguson testified that he accidentally fired the gunshot after his bad shoulder gave out while he was placing the firearm on a coffee table and his finger slipped onto the trigger.

The lawyer for a Southern California judge has acknowledged that his client fired the deadly shot that killed his wife, but he contends it was an accident.

Jurors in the trial of an Orange County Superior Court judge accused of fatally shooting his wife in their Anaheim Hills home are scheduled Thursday to deliberate for the seventh day, one day after hearing additional arguments from attorneys.