A special prosecutor in the murder case of Judge Michael Valentine is seeking access to defendant Megan Valentine’s cell phone. Prosecutor David J. Robinson filed a motion to compel Megan Valentine to unlock her phone, arguing its potential relevance to the ongoing homicide investigation.
The motion highlights that the iPhone, which ran out of power and requires a passcode, was part of a warrant issued on November 5th, 2024. Robinson cites the 2023 case of People vs Sneed, where the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that providing a phone’s passcode is not protected under the Fifth Amendment as it’s considered a “foregone conclusion” rather than testimonial evidence.
The request will be reviewed during a pre-trial hearing on May 2nd.
Megan Valentine is currently being held at the White County Jail in Carmi on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated domestic battery. She is accused of shooting her husband, Judge Michael J. Valentine, on November 5th, 2024.
Judge William J. Thurston from Pulaski County is presiding over the case. No trial date has been set yet.
Comments