According to Illinois State Police, the wife of a judge in Illinois was taken into custody and accused of shooting her husband to death.
According to a police news release, the body of Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine was discovered outside of a residence on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of Megan Valentine, 44, of Albion.
According to court documents filed in Edwards County on Thursday, she was charged with first degree murder, aggravated discharge of a handgun, aggravated battery with a firearm, and aggravated domestic battery.
At around 12:14 p.m. on Tuesday, the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a residence in Albion.
Police stated, “Upon arrival, an ECSO deputy observed the body of Michael Valentine laying outside the residence,” and Megan Valentine was subsequently arrested.
Police did not elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the reasons behind her alleged involvement in the murder.
She was charged after Illinois State Police, who are in charge of the shooting investigation, presented their findings to the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday.
White County Jail is where she is being detained.
Read Also:Â NYPD: Social Media Influencer Known for Racing Dies in High-Speed Collision
“Shocked and deeply saddened” by Michael Valentine’s passing, the Second Judicial Court judges remarked in public.
Since 2022, he has been a second circuit judge. He previously served as the state’s attorney for Edwards County and was elected to the circuit court in 2016.
“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 stated. “He will be sorely missed.”
