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The wife of a southern Illinois judge fatally shot earlier this week has been charged in connection with his death, state police said Thursday.
Megan Valentine, 44, is jailed on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery.
She was arrested Tuesday after Edwards County sheriff’s deputies found the body of Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine outside a home in Albion, state police said in a release.
Edwards County Sheriff’s deputies say they were dispatched to Valentine’s home at 12:15 p.m. for a welfare check before finding Valentine dead shortly after arriving.
Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan said Valentine will be missed.
“On behalf of all of the judges of the Second Judicial Circuit, we are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our colleague and friend, Edwards County resident Judge Michael J. Valentine,” she said. “Judge Valentine was elected to serve as Circuit Judge in 2016 and then retained by the voters of the Second Circuit in 2022. Having formally served as Edwards County State’s Attorney, he brought to the bench experience in law and a commitment to public service. 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. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate and have yet to announce any new information at this time.
Albion is about 270 miles (434 kilometers) south of Chicago. The sheriff’s office asked the state police to lead the investigation into Valentine’s death. Charges were filed against his wife on Thursday, state police said.
Her first court appearance is scheduled for Friday morning, according to court records, which do not list a defense attorney for her. Valentine was a former Edwards County state’s attorney, according to Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan. He was first elected circuit court judge in 2016.
