Testimony is set to begin Tuesday in the federal trial of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who faces charges of murdering Sandra Birchmore in 2021 and causing the death of her unborn child. Prosecutors allege Farwell strangled Birchmore and staged the scene to appear as a suicide after she threatened to expose their sexual relationship, which began when she was a minor.
Prosecution’s case and new witnesses
Federal prosecutors filed a motion Sunday to admit testimony from three women who allegedly had extramarital affairs with Farwell. The government argues the women will demonstrate Farwell’s “cavalier attitude” toward those encounters and show he took no steps to conceal them. The defense has called the argument “wrong and made in bad faith,” pointing to earlier consensual adult relationships and arguing that wearing a mask would have drawn attention.
Key evidence and legal motions
During opening statements, the defense said Farwell was merely trying to hide his relationship with Birchmore from his wife. The prosecution, however, contends Farwell wore a mask on February 1, 2021, to conceal his identity while entering and leaving Birchmore’s apartment. Prosecutors also seek to admit digital‑forensics testimony from expert Daniel Loper, who will testify that Birchmore’s laptop was powered on at 9:41 p.m. on the night of her death and that Farwell blocked her from contacting his iPhone.
The defense filed a response arguing there was no change in its position regarding consent to search Farwell’s phone after Birchmore’s death. It maintains that any artifacts from the phone would be within the scope of the original consent and that the government cannot compel the defense to produce evidence.
Jury composition and trial logistics
The jury consists of ten men and six women. After opening statements last week, twelve of the sixteen jurors will be selected to deliberate the case. Judge Casper denied a request to move the high‑profile trial out of Massachusetts and allowed a sealed motion concerning an unnamed witness to proceed.
Background of the case
Farwell, a 40‑year‑old U.S. Army veteran who served as an explosives expert from 2004 to 2008, became a Stoughton police officer in 2012. Prosecutors say Birchmore, who joined the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy in 2010, met Farwell in 2012 when she was 15. They allege the relationship turned sexual that same year, with the first intercourse occurring when Birchmore was 15 and Farwell was 27.
According to the indictment, Birchmore presented Farwell with an ultimatum in October 2020, demanding he conceive a child with her in exchange for keeping their relationship secret. On December 28, 2020, Birchmore sent Farwell a picture of an ultrasound poster reading “Congrats we are going to be parents.” Prosecutors claim she later told friends that Farwell became violent after receiving the image.
Birchmore was found dead on February 4, 2021. The death was initially ruled a suicide, but prosecutors now contend the scene was staged. Video evidence allegedly shows Farwell entering Birchmore’s apartment at 9:14 p.m. and leaving at 9:43 p.m. on the night of the death.
Legal commentary
Legal analyst Martha Coakley noted, “It’ll be interesting to see what the court does, but I think the judge will rule based on the evidence as it comes in, not just on opening statements.” Prosecutor Elizabeth Riley emphasized that Farwell’s behavior shifted after a 2024 forensic report concluded Birchmore’s death was a homicide, and she highlighted his attendance at a state police homicide conference where detectives were trained to investigate hanging deaths.
The trial is expected to continue over several weeks, with both sides presenting additional forensic and testimonial evidence.
Original reporting: WMUR (Hearst) – local news — read the source article.
