Jury selection is under way in the federal trial of former Stoughton Police Detective Matthew Farwell, who prosecutors say killed Sandra Birchmore, a 23‑year‑old woman who was pregnant, and then staged the scene to appear as a suicide.
Why no state murder charge?
According to NBC10 Boston legal analyst Michael Coyne, murder is a state crime handled by the local district attorney. The original autopsy by the medical examiner concluded Birchmore’s death was a suicide, so state prosecutors did not file murder charges.
Federal charges focus on obstruction and protection of the unborn child
After the FBI reopened the investigation, Farwell was charged federally with killing a witness or victim and violating a law that protects unborn children by causing the death of Birchmore’s unborn child. Coyne described the charges as “obstruction of justice crimes and killing Ms. Birchmore in order to prevent her from coming forward.”
Allegations and defense
Federal prosecutors allege surveillance video shows Farwell entering Birchmore’s apartment, where he allegedly strangled her and staged the scene to hide a sexual relationship that began when she was underage. Farwell has entered a not‑guilty plea. His attorneys maintain that the original autopsy ruling of suicide is correct and will be defended in court.
Jury pool and upcoming trial steps
The jury pool began with 400 prospective jurors; more than 100 have already been released after completing a questionnaire. The first jurors are expected to be impaneled on Thursday.
For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233) or via www.thehotline.org. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
