New details were revealed on Thursday about the events leading up to Megan Valentine allegedly killing her husband, an Illinois judge.
Valentine, 44, is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery. She is accused of shooting and killing her husband, Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael Valentine, on November 5.
Valentine appeared in court in Edwards County for a detention hearing. The prosecution argued that she should remain in custody ahead of her trial, while the defense asked for pre-trial release.
Evidence showed that Valentine looked up articles about DNA on knives and websites with information on guns in the days leading up to the fatal incident, according to the prosecution, Evansville, Illinois, news station WEVV reported.
The state said Valentine admitted to officials that she had "snapped." The prosecution also argued that Valentine was a danger to herself, her family and the public.
The defense said Valentine had not shown signs of suicidal thoughts while in jail, and she acted in self-defense because she was allegedly in an abusive marriage.
Valentine will be held in the White County Jail pending trial. From then on, a judge in Pulaski County will oversee Megan's court appearances.
She is expected to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on December 10.
Megan and Michael Valentine had family members present in the courtroom, according to WEVV.
Who Was Michael Valentine?
Michael Valentine, 43, was first elected as a circuit court judge in 2016, then reelected in 2022.
The Second Circuit consists of several counties, including Edwards and White counties. Valentine was the resident judge of Edwards County.
"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 Second Judicial Circuit Court said in a statement on its website following his death.
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." He had two children: daughter Mia Rose Valentine and son Michael Joseph Valentine III.
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