The wife of an Illinois judge accused of shooting him to death inside his luxury home earlier this month is alleged to have conducted some disturbing Internet searches in the days before 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 murder may have been premeditated after a look at Valentine’s Internet search history revealed that he had been searching for articles about DNA on knives along with other websites containing gun information, in the days before the incident. fatal.
Valentine has confessed to officials that she “snapped” and claims she acted in self-defense because she was allegedly in an abusive marriage.
Prosecutors have argued that Valentine was a danger to herself, her family and the public.
She has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic assault.
Appearing in Edwards County Court for a detention hearing, prosecutors argued that he should remain in custody at the White County Jail until his trial.
He is expected to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on December 10.
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 occurred at the couple’s mansion in Albion, Illinois, south of Chicago.
The couple shared two children, daughter Mia Rose and son Michael Joseph Valentine III.
Illinois State Police continue to investigate.
Judge Valentine is a former Edwards County State’s Attorney, according to Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan.
He was first elected circuit court judge in 2016.
“On behalf of all 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,” Morgan said in a statement.
‘Judge Valentine was a distinguished jurist who was determined to pursue justice and his compassion and conduct earned him the trust and respect of those who appeared before him.
“He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Valentine’s obituary says he will be remembered as “a good and just judge, who helped many whom he served” and “a loving son and loving father.”
The couple shared two children, daughter Mia Rose and son Michael Joseph Valentine III.