Categories: U.S.

Illinois judge shot dead; wife charged with murder: police

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for November 9

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

The wife of an Illinois circuit judge has been arrested and charged with murder after her husband was found fatally shot outside their home Tuesday, according to police. 

Megan Valentine, 44, is accused of gunning down Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, at their home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion in southeast 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.

CALIFORNIA JUDGE WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED HIS WIFE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NEARLY $250K SALARY

Megan Valentine, 44, is accused of gunning down Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, at their home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion, Ill. (Illinois State Police I Family handout)

Megan Valentine was taken into custody at the home, Illinois State Police said. 

She was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a gun, aggravated discharge of a gun and aggravated domestic battery.

She is being held at the White County jail. 

KENTUCKY SHERIFF SEEN IN FOOTAGE SHOOTING AT JUDGE IN SHOCKING PRELIMINARY HEARING

An Edwards County Sheriff’s Office badge on a wall. (Edwards County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook)

It is unclear what happened before the shooting, and police have not provided any further information.

Judge Valentine earned his law degree at Southern Illinois University and was elected State’s Attorney in Edwards County, Illinois, serving eight years before being elected Circuit Judge for Edwards County, according to his obituary on Meredith Funeral Home’s website.

Judge Valentine was also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association and was a drug court judge. 

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Crime scene tape (iStock)

He was a Chicago EMT prior to becoming a lawyer and a member of the Albion Fire Department, Heritage Lodge 356 and the Albion Moose Lodge. 

He is survived by his parents and two children. 

“He was of Catholic faith. He will be remembered as a good and fair judge, who helped many he served. Most of all, he was a loving son and a loving father,” his obituary states. “He also leaves behind many in his community, colleagues, co-workers and friends who cherish his memory.

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.

Share

Recent Posts

Tennessee police searching for brazen burglar who rappelled into bowling alley and stole cash

close Video Tennessee police searching for brazen burglar who rappelled into bowling alley and stole…

1 hour ago

Justice Alito plans to remain on Supreme Court, resisting pressure to step aside: report

Justice Samuel Alito has no plans to retire from the Supreme Court anytime soon, a…

2 hours ago

Trump’s first Cabinet picks decidedly not isolationists: Ukraine, Israel breathe a sigh of relief

Despite his own isolationist musings, the first picks of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration hail…

2 hours ago

Trump’s picks so far: Here’s who will be advising the new president

Since winning the election last week, President-elect Trump has begun evaluating and rolling out his…

2 hours ago

Trump picking Cabinet at breakneck speed compared to 2016

President-elect Trump has hit the ground running on filling out his potential future cabinet, announcing…

2 hours ago

Fox News Politics: Administration of Allies

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition,…

2 hours ago