Megan Soo Valentine of Albion, Chicago, arrested and charged with the shooting murder of Southern Illinois judge, Michael Valentine of Edwards County Circuit, criminal court. No known motive.
The wife of an Illinois criminal court judge who was found shot dead on Tuesday was on Thursday charged with his murder.
Edwards County Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, 41, was found deceased with a gunshot wound at his Albion home on November 5.
Edwards County Sheriff’s deputies say they were dispatched to Valentine’s home in Albion at 12:15 p.m. for a welfare check before finding Valentine dead shortly after arriving.
Thursday afternoon, law enforcement officials confirmed Judge Valentine’s wife Megan Valentine, 44, was arrested and charged with the shooting murder of the Southern Illinois judge.
Appearing in court, Megan Valentine was charged with murder, aggravated domestic battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. The judge’s spouse remains held in Edwards County Jail. She’s scheduled to make her first appearance in court on Friday morning.
Judge Valentine was in the second year of his second six-year term as a judge.
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.’
No known motive was immediately known.
Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate and have yet to announce any new information at this time.
