The wife of an Illinois judge accused of fatally shooting him inside their luxury home earlier this month is alleged to have made some disturbing internet searches in the days leading up to the shooting.
Megan Soo Valentine, 44, of Albion, Illinois, south of Chicago, has been charged in the murder of her husband Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, 43, who was found dead at their mansion.
Prosecutors say the killing may have been premeditated after a look at Valentine’s internet search history revealed she had been looking up articles about DNA on knives together with other websites containing information about guns, in the days leading up to the fatal incident.
Valentine has confessed to officials she ‘snapped’ and claims she acted in self-defense because she was allegedly in an abusive marriage.
The prosecution have argued Valentine was a danger to herself, her family and the public.
She has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery.
Appeared in court in Edwards County 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.
The Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate.
Judge Valentine was a former Edwards County state attorney, according to Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan.
He was first elected circuit court judge in 2016.
‘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,’ Morgan said in a statement.
‘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.’
Valentine’s obituary says 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.