A judge hailing from Southern California, accused of unintentionally causing the death of his wife during an intoxicated argument, entered a plea of not guilty to a murder charge on Tuesday.

According to his attorney, the incident was characterized as an “accidental shooting.”

Draped in a suit and tie, Judge Jeffrey Ferguson of Orange County Superior Court appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court, where Judge Ricardo Ocampo presided.

The court proceedings resulted in the imposition of new bail conditions, sought by prosecutors, upon Ferguson, the Associated Press reported.

These conditions include the surrender of his passport, compliance with searches, and the obligation to wear monitoring devices measuring blood alcohol content and GPS location.

Currently out on a $1 million bail, Ferguson is also prohibited from possessing firearms and consuming alcohol, as well as visiting establishments like bars and liquor stores.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, Ferguson’s legal representatives informed the press that the experienced judge, who has a background as a former prosecutor, maintains his confidence that a jury will ultimately concur with his assertion that no criminal act had taken place.

“This was an unintentional, accidental shooting and not a crime,” attorney Paul Meyer said.

On August 3, the 72-year-old individual was apprehended at his residence situated in the affluent Anaheim Hills neighborhood. Law enforcement officials made the arrest subsequent to discovering the lifeless body of his wife, Sheryl Ferguson, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

Legal authorities detailed in official court documents that an altercation had transpired between the couple, with the judge consuming alcohol at the time.

During this dispute, he retrieved a pistol from an ankle holster and unintentionally discharged it, resulting in a fatal shot to Sheryl’s chest.

The incident prompted the couple’s adult son and the judge himself, Jeffrey Ferguson, to immediately contact emergency services by dialing 911.

Written by staff