Emma Cooley, the mother of Sydney Palmer, who was tragically killed by her husband, Michael Edgington, during a domestic dispute in Kansas last year, expressed her grief and anger at Edgington’s sentencing on Monday. Cooley revealed that her daughter’s love for Edgington was unwavering, even in her final moments. She also shared the distressing actions and comments Edgington made towards Palmer’s family following her death.
Cooley recounted her first conversation with Edgington after her daughter’s death, during which he asked for his PlayStation. In a symbolic gesture, Cooley brought a PlayStation console to the sentencing, placing it near Edgington.
Palmer, 25, had an altercation with Edgington on July 3, the day of her death. She allegedly threw a small concrete figurine at his head, causing a visible bump. Edgington retaliated by shooting her with a 9 mm pistol.
During his sentencing, Edgington acknowledged his wrongdoing but claimed he was not a threat to society. He was sentenced to 61 months in prison, approximately five years, for second-degree murder by Sumner County District Court Judge William Mott. Edgington was also given 36 months of probation and is prohibited from owning firearms in the future.
Edgington’s actions following Palmer’s death further distressed her family. He allegedly remarried in the home he had shared with Palmer, even holding the wedding ceremony there. Cooley expressed her disbelief and pain at this decision, stating that it was as if her daughter had never existed.
Edgington also repeatedly claimed to Palmer’s family that he had acted in self-defense and that Palmer was responsible for her own death. He told police that Palmer had been experiencing manic episodes and had become angry with him for not taking out the trash. He claimed that she began breaking things in their home and threatened him with a concrete figurine.
Cooley also alleged that Edgington disrespected Palmer’s grave by littering and discarding cigarette butts there. Despite everything, Cooley reminded Edgington that Palmer had loved him and had tried to protect him, even refusing to admit to law enforcement that he had killed her.