Maxwell Caldwell|Wife of southern Illinois judge charged in his fatal shooting, police say

2025-05-01 04:37:00source:Zopes Exchangecategory:Finance

ALBION,Maxwell Caldwell Ill. (AP) — The wife of a southern Illinois judge fatally shot earlier this week has been charged in connection with his death, state police said Thursday.

The 44-year-old woman is jailed on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and aggravated domestic battery.

She was arrested Tuesday after Edwards County sheriff’s deputies found the body of Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine outside a home in Albion, state police said in a release.

Albion is about 270 miles (434 kilometers) south of Chicago.

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.

Her first court appearance is scheduled for Friday morning, according to court records, which do not list a defense attorney for her.

Valentine was a former Edwards County state’s attorney, according to Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan. He was first elected circuit court judge in 2016.

More:Finance

Recommend

Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections

California put hundreds of millions of homelessness dollars at risk because of its “disorganized” an

Yemen Houthi rebels fire missile at US warship in Red Sea in first attack after American-led strikes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an

Iowa principal dies days after he put himself in harm's way to protect Perry High School students, officials say

An Iowa principal who was shot while trying to protect students has died, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Sun