Megan Valentine was arrested Tuesday after allegedly murdering her husband, Judge Michael Valentine, WNIN-TV reported. The 44-year-old's body was discovered outside of his home on Election Day, leading to Megan Valentine's arrest.
Police were called to the judge's Albion home for a welfare check on Nov. 5. When they got to the residence, they discovered Michael Valentine's body laid out on the road.
Illinois State Police picked up Megan Valentine and charged her with first-degree murder. The 41-year-old is being held at the White County Jail in Carmi, Illinois, the New York Post reported.
Her next court appearance will be on Nov. 12, and Megan Valentine's attorney did not object to her remaining in custody until then. Besides murder, she was also charged with aggravated domestic battery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery with a firearm.
Police are not saying what the possible motives are for the shooting. By all accounts, the judge was an upstanding citizen and dedicated to serving his family and community.
According to his obituary, Michael Valentine was elected judge in 2016 and successfully reelected in 2022. Before that, he served on the Albion Fire Department and was a Chicago EMT.
Michael Valentine joined the Illinois State Bar Association and Illinois Judges Associate after receiving his law degree from Southern Illinois University. He also served as Edwards County State's Attorney for eight years.
The judge was also a Catholic and a member of the Albion Moose Lodge. Michael Valentine's obituary said he "will be remembered as a good and fair judge, who helped many he served," his family said.
"Most of all, he was a loving son and a loving father," the obituary added. Michael Valentine left behind a daughter, Mia Rose Valentine and a son, Michael Joseph Valentine III, as well as many other beloved relatives.
Michael Valentine's colleague, Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan, called his death "tragic" in a statement, People reported. "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," the statement said.
"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," the statement went on.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time," it added. Unfortunately, as the Post pointed out, Michael Valentine is not the only judge to be gunned down this year.
District Judge Kevin Mullins was gunned down outside a Kentucky courthouse by Letcher County Sheriff Shawn Stines. A defense attorney for Stines claimed it was a spontaneous decision following a dispute inside the courthouse.
Murder is always a horrific crime, but it's especially appalling when committed by the spouse of the victim. Michael Valentine died senselessly, and his wife will likely spend the rest of her life in jail if convicted.
