The wife of an Illinois circuit judge was arrested and charged with murder Tuesday after her husband was found shot to death outside their home, police said.
Megan Valentine, 44, is accused of shooting Illinois 2nd Judicial Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, at his home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion, southeastern Illinois. .
Police responded to the home around 12:15 p.m., and an Edwards County Sheriff's Office (ECSO) deputy observed Valentine's body outside the home.
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Megan Valentine, 44, is accused of fatally shooting Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, at his home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion, Illinois. (Illinois State Police I Family Handout)
Megan Valentine was taken into custody at her home, according to Illinois State Police.
She was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic assault.
She is being held in the White County Jail.
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Edwards County Sheriff's Office badge on the wall. (Edwards County Sheriff's Office, via Facebook)
It's unclear what happened before the shooting, and police have not provided any further information.
According to his obituary posted on the Meredith Funeral Home website, Judge Valentine earned a law degree from Southern Illinois University, was elected state's attorney for Edwards County, Illinois, and was elected circuit judge for Edwards County. He worked there for eight years until his retirement.
Judge Valentine is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, and was a drug court judge.
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crime scene tape (St. Petersburg)
Before becoming a lawyer, he was a Chicago EMT and a member of the Albion Fire Department, Heritage Lodge 356, and Albion Moose Lodge.
He leaves behind his parents and two children.
“He was of the Catholic faith. He will be remembered as a good and fair judge who helped the many he served. Above all, he was a loving son and a loving father.” says his obituary. “He also leaves behind many people, colleagues, colleagues and friends in the community who will cherish his memory.
