Crime
Megan Valentine arrested and charged for the murder of Edward County Judge Michael Valentine
His wife, 44-year-old Megan S. Valentine, was present at the scene and was immediately taken into custody.
On Election Day, a tragic incident unfolded in southern Illinois as a judge was discovered fatally shot outside his home, leading to the arrest and subsequent charging of his wife.
Illinois State Police reported that deputies from the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at approximately 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
The call directed them to a residence on the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion.
Upon arrival, officers found Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine lying deceased outside his home, the victim of a gunshot wound.
His wife, 44-year-old Megan S. Valentine, was present at the scene and was immediately taken into custody.
Given the nature of the case, the Edwards County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Illinois State Police lead the investigation.
By Thursday, the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office had filed several charges against Megan Valentine, including first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated domestic battery.
Megan Valentine is currently being held in the White County Jail, with her first court appearance scheduled for Friday morning.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.