Wife Kills Judge Found Dead Outside Downstate Home: Police

ALBION, IL — A downstate woman is accused of killing her husband, a local judge, after his body was found outside his home, according to authorities.

A sheriff’s deputy responding to a welfare check around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday at Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine’s residence in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion found Valentine dead outdoors, authorities said, adding his wife was taken into custody.

Megan S. Valentine, 44, of Albion, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a gun, aggravated discharge of a gun and aggravated domestic battery, according to state police, who said she is being held in White County jail.

The judge’s colleagues expressed shock and sadness in a statement on the Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court website.

“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,” the statement said. “He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”

The judge was elected in 2016 and retained by voters in 2022, according to the statement, which said he previously served as the state’s attorney for Edwards County.