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Illinois judge shot dead; wife charged with murder: police

The wife of an Illinois circuit judge has been arrested and charged with murder after her husband was found fatally shot outside their home Tuesday, according to police. 

Police responded to the home around 12:15 p.m., and an Edwards County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) deputy observed Valentine’s body outside the home.

Megan Valentine, 44, is accused of gunning down Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, at their home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion, Ill. (Illinois State Police I Family handout)

She is being held at the White County jail. 

An Edwards County Sheriff's Office badge on a wall. (Edwards County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)

It is unclear what happened before the shooting, and police have not provided any further information.

Judge Valentine was also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association and was a drug court judge. 

Crime scene tape (iStock)

He was a Chicago EMT prior to becoming a lawyer and a member of the Albion Fire Department, Heritage Lodge 356 and the Albion Moose Lodge. 

He is survived by his parents and two children.