Wife of Edwards Co. judge arrested, charged with murder

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Megan Valentine, the wife of the Edwards County judge who died in an apparent shooting on Tuesday, has been arrested and charged with murder.

On November 5, deputies were called to investigate the death of 41-year-old Michael J. Valentine.

14 News sent a crew to Albion and found crime scene tape and law enforcement outside the courthouse.

Thursday afternoon, law enforcement officials confirmed Judge Valentine’s wife Megan was arrested.

Online court records show she is charged with three counts of Murder, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and Aggravated Domestic Battery.

Judge Valentine was in the second year of his second six-year term as a judge.

We reached out to the county circuit clerk to ask what will happen to his caseload, and how they’ll fill his vacant position.

They referred us to the office of the Chief Judge of the Illinois Second Judicial Circuit.

While they didn’t answer our questions, they referred us to a statement, which reads as follows:

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.

Judge Valentine was elected to serve as Circuit Judge in 2016 and then retained by the voters of the Second Circuit in 2022. Having formerly served as Edwards County State’s Attorney, he brought to the bench experience in law and a commitment to public service.

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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

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