Boston, MA – A federal jury announced Monday that it remains deadlocked in the high‑profile case of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell. The jurors, eight men and four women, have been deliberating since Friday on whether Farwell murdered Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child to prevent her from disclosing details of a sexual relationship that allegedly began when she was a minor.
Jury notes and judge’s response
Judge Denise Casper received two notes from the jury after more than four hours of deliberation. One note indicated the deadlock, while the other concerned scheduling. The judge said she is inclined to have the jurors reconvene on Tuesday at 9 a.m., after hearing recommendations from both the prosecution and the defense.
Prosecutors asked that deliberations continue, and the defense agreed, requesting an 8:30 a.m. meeting for further instructions. Judge Casper indicated she will consider the messages before deciding whether to resume deliberations that day.
Case background
Farwell is charged under federal law with killing Birchmore and her unborn child to stop her from communicating information about a federal crime to law‑enforcement. The prosecution alleges Farwell staged the scene to look like a suicide, pointing to video from Birchmore’s apartment lobby showing both individuals wearing a mask and hood on the day she died.
The defense argues Farwell was on his way to end the relationship and that Birchmore subsequently took her own life. Prosecutors counter that forensic data shows Birchmore’s phone was never moved after the incident, suggesting no further activity.
Related federal cases
This deadlock follows other recent federal and state cases in Massachusetts where juries have struggled to reach a verdict, including the September mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case and the hung jury in the Karen Read trial.
Family statements
Outside the courtroom, Birchmore’s cousin Barbara Birchmore told reporters she had spoken with Sandra that night and believes the allegations are false.
The trial continues to draw attention as it raises serious questions about the enforcement of federal statutes protecting whistleblowers and the tragic loss of an unborn child.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
