close
close

Christianluscher

Breaking: Beyond Headlines!

Disturbing history of internet searches of judge’s wife before she shot him dead in their mansion
aecifo

Disturbing history of internet searches of judge’s wife before she shot him dead in their mansion

The wife of an Illinois judge accused of fatally shooting him in their luxury home earlier this month reportedly made disturbing Internet searches in the days leading up to the shooting.

Megan Soo Valentine, 44, of Albion, Ill., south of Chicago, was 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 review of Valentine’s internet search history revealed she searched for articles about knife DNA as well as other websites with information on firearms in the days leading up to the fatal incident.

Valentine admitted to authorities that she “snapped” and claims she acted in self-defense because she was allegedly in an abusive marriage.

The prosecution argued that Valentine posed a danger to herself, her family and the public.

She was charged with one count of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated domestic battery.

Appearing in Edwards County Court for a detention hearing, the prosecution argued that she should remain in custody at the White County Jail until her trial.

She is expected to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on December 10.

Disturbing history of internet searches of judge’s wife before she shot him dead in their mansion

Valentine, 43, was a former Edwards County prosecutor. He was first elected to serve as a circuit court judge in 2016.

Megan Soo Valentine, 44, of Albion, south of Chicago, was 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 shooting took place 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.

The couple shared two children, daughter Mia Rose and son Michael Joseph Valentine III.

Illinois State Police continue to investigate.

Judge Valentine was a former Edwards County prosecutor, according to Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan.

He was first elected to serve as a 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 committed to the pursuit of justice and his compassion and conduct earned him the trust and respect of those who appeared before him.

“We will miss him very much. 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 so many whom he served” and “a loving son and father.”

The couple shared two children, daughter Mia Rose and son Michael Joseph Valentine III.