The wife of an Illinois judge was arrested and charged with fatally shooting her husband, according to Illinois State Police.
Megan Valentine, 44 of Albion, was arrested Tuesday after the body of Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine was found outside of a home, per a news release from police.
She was charged with first degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated domestic battery, according to court documents filed in Edwards County Thursday.
The Edwards County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Albion Tuesday at around 12:14 p.m.
“Upon arrival, an ECSO deputy observed the body of Michael Valentine laying outside the residence,” police said, adding Megan Valentine was then taken into custody.
Police did not provide any additional details as to why she is being accused of the murder, or what happened leading up to the shooting. Illinois State Police, who lead the investigation into the shooting, presented their findings to the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, resulting in the filing of charges against her.
She is being held in White County Jail. An attorney for Megan Valentine did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a
statement
, the judges of the Second Judicial Court said they are “shocked and deeply saddened” by Michael Valentine’s death.
He served as second circuit judge since 2022. Previously, he was elected to serve as a circuit judge in 2016, and also served as Edwards County State’s Attorney.
“Judge Valentine was a distinguished jurist who was determined in the pursuit of justice and his compassion and conduct earned him the confidence and respect of the people who appeared before him,” Valentine’s colleagues said in the statement. “He will be sorely missed.”
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