A woman charged with the murder of her husband, an Edwards County circuit judge, has been transferred from the Wayne County Jail in Fairfield to the Williamson County Jail in Marion.
46-year-old Megan Valentine is awaiting trial on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the November 5, 2024, shooting death of her husband, Edwards County Circuit Judge Michael Valentine.
Although a trial date has not yet been scheduled, proceedings are expected to take place in Williamson County, where presiding Judge William Thurston serves as Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit.
Valentine had been held in the Wayne County Jail since November 11, 2025, following her transfer from the White County Jail in Carmi.
She had been incarcerated in White County since her arrest in November 2024.
Her transfer to Wayne County came after White County Sheriff’s Department officials uncovered evidence that jailer Darren Hays had engaged in unlawful sexual contact with Valentine while she was in custody.
Hays was immediately suspended from his position, and Valentine was transferred to the Wayne County Jail that same day.
Hays is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, November 12th, in connection with the incident.
Wayne County officials say Valentine’s latest transfer places her in the same county where her eventual murder trial will be conducted.
Valentine remains in custody awaiting trial. A date for the proceedings has not been announced.