LOCKPORT — With a pool of potential jurors waiting in a room at the Niagara County Courthouse on Monday morning, a Niagara Falls man chose a guilty plea over a trial in a domestic violence homicide case.
Edward J. Parmer, Sr., 65, pleaded guilty to a single count of second-degree murder just before the start of jury selection in his case. The plea was neither an offer nor a deal with prosecutors.
Parmer pleaded guilty to the only count in a grand jury indictment against him for the murder of Jeanine M. Scull, 48, also of the Falls.
Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman indicated in a statement Monday afternoon that Parmer would be given a term of 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced in April by Niagara County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek.
“This was a vicious crime for which the defendant will hopefully spend the rest of his life in jail,” Seaman said after Parmer’s plea.
In taking his plea, Parmer admitted to stabbing Scull, described by family members as his “long-time domestic partner”, to death in their home in the 400 block of 22nd Street on July 24, 2024. Those same family members said that there had been a history of domestic abuse between Parmer and Scull.
Falls police said patrol officers responded to a report of a “domestic incident” at about 2:45 a.m. and when they arrived at the scene on 22nd Street, they found Parmer outside the home. Officers said they took Parmer into custody before entering the house.
Inside the home, officers said they found Scull’s body lying on the floor. Detectives said Scull appeared to have suffered a single stab wound to the chest.
Officers said they began administering first aid to Scull, but she was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.
Parmer has been held without bail since his arrest and remains in custody after his plea.