Michael Edgington was sentenced to 61 months in prison for the second-degree murder of his wife, Sydney Palmer, following a domestic dispute that escalated tragically in July of the previous year. Palmer, 25, had thrown a small concrete figurine at Edgington during a confrontation, which left a visible bump on his forehead. In response, Edgington shot her dead with a 9 mm pistol. This act of violence was not only shocking but also deeply disturbing for Palmer’s family, who later revealed the chilling aftermath of the murder.
At Edgington’s sentencing, Palmer’s mother, Emma Cooley, addressed him directly, expressing the profound pain and betrayal she felt after her daughter’s death. Cooley recalled her first conversation with Edgington following the tragedy, during which he had asked her for his PlayStation. She recounted placing the gaming console near him, a moment that highlighted Edgington’s apparent lack of remorse or understanding of the gravity of his actions. His focus seemed to be on material possessions rather than any recognition of the life he had taken.
The details of the domestic dispute that led to Palmer’s death were also revealed during the proceedings. Edgington claimed that Palmer had been having manic episodes and had recently stopped taking her prescribed medication, which allegedly contributed to her anger during the argument. He described how she became irate over household chores, eventually throwing the figurine at him, which he said led him to defend himself by shooting her. His defense of self-defense was met with skepticism and disdain by Palmer’s family, who found it hard to believe that such a violent reaction was justified.
Cooley also described how Edgington’s behavior after Palmer’s death was equally disturbing. She claimed that he had returned to the house where he had killed his wife and even remarried there, as though Palmer had never existed. This act, in particular, horrified Palmer’s family, as it seemed to erase her memory and demonstrate a complete lack of empathy or acknowledgment of the trauma he had caused. The idea of holding a wedding in the same place where Palmer had lost her life was a shocking display of indifference to the suffering of those left behind.
Edgington’s actions and words following the murder painted a picture of a man who had little regard for the pain he caused or the life he took. In addition to his request for the PlayStation, he allegedly made other insensitive statements to Palmer’s family, including repeating that he was acting in self-defense and blaming Palmer for the incident. He also reportedly continued to engage in troubling behavior, such as allegedly littering and discarding cigarettes at her grave.
Despite his claims of self-defense, Edgington was sentenced to the maximum allowed for second-degree murder, which included five years in prison and three years of probation. He was also prohibited from owning firearms in the future. In the end, his actions left a family grieving not only for the loss of their loved one but also for the way in which he seemed to minimize the significance of her death. Palmer’s mother’s words echoed the enduring love and care she had for her daughter, even in the face of such overwhelming loss.
