Judge moves murder trial of southern Illinois judge’s wife to Williamson County
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) — The murder trial of an Albion woman charged in the fatal shooting of her husband, longtime Edwards County Judge Michael Valentine, will be moved to Williamson County.
A judge on Tuesday granted a defense motion for a change of venue, transferring the case from Edwards County. A trial date has not been set.
Megan S. Valentine, 44, of Albion, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery in connection with the Nov. 5, 2024, death of her husband.
According to the Illinois State Police, deputies with the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple’s home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 near Albion around 12:14 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2024. A deputy found Michael Valentine dead outside the residence, and Megan Valentine was taken into custody at the scene.
The Edwards County Sheriff’s Office requested the Illinois State Police lead the investigation. Following the investigation, agents presented the case to the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, which approved the charges.
Michael Valentine served as the resident judge for Edwards County beginning in 2016 after previously serving eight years as the county’s state’s attorney.
Future hearings and the trial will take place in Williamson County.
