The wife of an Illinois judge accused of fatally shooting him in their luxury home earlier this month reportedly conducted a number of disturbing Internet searches in the days leading up to the shooting.
Megan Soo Valentine, 44, of Albion, Illinois, south of Chicago, has been charged with the murder of her husband, Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, who was found dead in their mansion.
Prosecutors say the killing may have been premeditated after a look at Valentine’s Internet search history revealed that she had looked up articles about DNA on knives along with other websites with gun information in the days leading up to the fatal incident.
Valentine has confessed to officials that she “snapped” and claims she acted in self-defense because she was allegedly in an abusive marriage.
The prosecutor has argued that Valentine was a danger to herself, her family and the public.
She has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic violence.
The accuser appeared in court in Edwards County for a detention hearing and argued that she should remain in custody at the White County Jail until her trial.
She is expected to appear in court again on December 10 for a preliminary hearing.
Megan Soo Valentine, 44, of Albion, south of Chicago, has been charged with the murder of her husband, Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, who was found dead in their mansion.
The shooting took place at the couple’s mansion in Albion, Illinois, south of Chicago
The couple shared two children, a daughter Mia Rose and son Michael Joseph Valentine III
Illinois State Police continue to investigate.
Judge Valentine was a former Edwards County State’s Attorney, according to Chief Judge Melissa Morgan of the Second Judicial Circuit.
He was first elected as a circuit court judge in 2016.
“On behalf of all the judges of the Second Judicial Circuit, we are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our colleague and friend, Edwards County Judge Michael J. Valentine,” Morgan said in a statement.
“Judge Valentine was a distinguished lawyer who was determined in the pursuit of justice, and his compassion and conduct earned him the trust and respect of those who came before him.
‘He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Valentine’s obituary states that he will be remembered as “a good and fair judge, who helped many he served” and “a loving son and a loving father.”
The couple shared two children, a daughter Mia Rose and son Michael Joseph Valentine III.