Michael J. Valentine, an Illinois circuit court judge, was shot outside his home earlier this week. On November 5, the body of Michael J. Valentine was discovered outside of his house in Albion, Illinois, during a wellness check.
The Illinois State Police stated in a press release,
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"The Edwards County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion on Tuesday afternoon at around 12:14 p.m. Upon arrival, an ECSO deputy discovered Michael J. Valentine was fatally shot outside his residence."
Megan S. Valentine, wife of Michael J. Valentine, was arrested and charged with the murder of her husband. According to Illinois State Police, Megan was arrested on multiple criminal charges, including,
"First-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated domestic battery."
Who was Michael J. Valentine? The Illinois circuit court judge who was fatally shot outside his residence
Edwards County Circuit Judge Michael Joseph Valentine was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 14, 1981. He studied at Southern Illinois University and graduated with a law degree. An obituary for Michael states he was a Chicago EMT before becoming a lawyer. He was also a member of the Albion Fire Department.
“He was elected State’s Attorney in Edwards County, Illinois, serving 8 years before being elected Circuit Judge for Edwards County. Michael was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Judges Association, and was also a Drug Court Judge,” reads the obituary.
Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan remembered Michael as someone “who helped many he served.”
In a statement with WEHT, Morgan 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."
Morgan further added,
"He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time".
Arrest and charges pressed on Michael J. Valentine's wife, Megan S. Valentine
As stated in the press release,
“After a thorough investigation, ISP agents presented their case to the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, and the above-listed charges were filed [against Megan J. Valentine].”
Megan is being held at the White County Jail, 25 miles south of Albion. However, whether she has entered a plea or appointed an attorney to represent her at the court remains unclear. Authorities have shared no further information on the fatal shooting.
According to the obituary, “Visitation for Michael J. Valentine will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the House of Prayer in Albion, Illinois.Funeral services will be held in Orland Park, Illinois, at a later date.”
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