Woman who pleaded guilty in husband’s death sentenced to 30 years
The Posey County woman who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in her husband’s death was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Peggy Higginson of Wadesville pleaded with Posey County Circuit Court Judge Craig Goedde to be lenient with his sentencing.
Judge Goedde sentenced Higginson to the maximum sentence of 30 years for the shooting of her husband, Troy Higginson, back in 2018.
“Our family couldn’t have asked for much more,” said Tyler Higginson, Troy’s son. “Unfortunately, my dad can’t come back, but we at least got some justice and closure.”
Judge Goedde stressed prior to handing down the sentence that the aggravators “heavily outweighed the mitigators” in this case. This means that the factors for a greater sentence outweighed the factors for a lighter sentence.
“I think the max sentence is what she needed, that’s what she deserved,” said Lindsey Bronaugh, Troy’s daughter said. “So inside I was so excited, because my dad finally got the justice he deserved.”
Higginson was originally charged with murder with a firearm enhancement, but reached a plea deal in August.
The level two felony of voluntary manslaughter carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and an advisory sentence of 17.5 years.
“Today is bittersweet for all of us,” said Posey County Prosecutor Thomas Clowers. “We’re happy with the court’s sentence.”
“I absolutely feel closure for the crime that was committed,” Tyler said. “Unfortunately, my dad can’t come back, so that’ll never be healed, but [we’re getting closure for] not only him, but we are getting closure as [a] family too.”
Higginson had been arrested prior to the shooting for hitting Troy in the head with a whiskey bottle, another piece of a “tumultuous” relationship, as Judge Goedde described in court Thursday.
“I feel like Troy’s voice was heard in the courtroom today,” Clowers said. “It always helps when the facts are on your side. The facts were on Troy’s side.”
Even with the maximum sentence handed down, Troy’s friends and family say his absence is still felt to this day.
“I don’t think I’ll ever fully have closure, as much closure as I would like, but this definitely helps,” Bronaugh said.
Higginson said in her allocution, “Not only did someone I care about lose their life, but it was my finger on the trigger of the gun that took that life.”
Higginson added that the night of the shooting will “forever haunt” her, and “if I could reach up to heaven and bring Troy back I would.”
Deputies say they found Troy in the driver’s seat of a car in the middle of Wade Road with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Officials say he had filed for divorce.
Higginson will be credited for time already served, which is a little over four years.
Higginson has 30 days to appeal the sentence.
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