Emma Cooley, the grieving mother of Sydney Palmer, has spoken out about her daughter’s tragic death at the hands of her husband, Michael Edgington, during a domestic dispute in Kansas last year. Cooley expressed her anguish and outrage during Edgington’s sentencing on Monday. She disclosed that Palmer’s affection for Edgington remained steadfast, even in her last moments. Cooley also detailed the distressing behavior and remarks Edgington directed towards Palmer’s family after her death.
Cooley recalled her initial interaction with Edgington following her daughter’s demise, during which he requested his PlayStation. In a poignant act, Cooley brought a PlayStation console to the sentencing and placed it near Edgington. Palmer, aged 25, had a confrontation with Edgington on July 3, the day she died. She reportedly hurled a small concrete figurine at his head, resulting in a noticeable lump. Edgington responded by shooting her with a 9 mm pistol.
During his sentencing, Edgington admitted his guilt but insisted he was not a menace to society. Sumner County District Court Judge William Mott sentenced him to 61 months in prison, roughly five years, for second-degree murder. Edgington was also handed 36 months of probation and is forbidden from owning firearms in the future.
Edgington’s behavior following Palmer’s death further upset her family. He allegedly remarried in the house he had previously shared with Palmer, even conducting the wedding ceremony there. Cooley voiced her shock and sorrow at this choice, stating it was as if her daughter had never existed.
Edgington also repeatedly asserted to Palmer’s family that he had acted in self-defense and that Palmer was to blame for her own death. He informed police that Palmer had been having manic episodes and had become irate with him for not taking out the trash. He alleged that she started breaking items in their home and threatened him with a concrete figurine.
Cooley also claimed 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 shield him, even declining to confess to law enforcement that he had killed her.