Illinois judge murdered 'by his own wife' at their sprawling mansion

The wife of an Illinois judge has been accused of fatally shooting him inside their home earlier this week.

Megan Soo Valentine, 44, of Albion - 270 south of Chicago - was arrested on Tuesday for the death of Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine, who was found dead outside their County Road 600 home, according to an Illinois State Police statement.

She has been charged with counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery.

She was taken into custody after Edwards County Sheriff's deputies found Michael's body outside their home in Albion, state police said.

The Sheriff's Office asked the state police to lead the investigation into Valentine's death. Charges were filed against his wife on Thursday, state police said.

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, according to WSIL-TV .

'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.'

The Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate. It is unclear if Megan has entered a plea at this time, and she faces a pre-trial hearing today.