Matthew Farwell murder trial: Therapist testifies in Sandra Birchmore case

In the murder trial of former Massachusetts police detective Matthew Farwell, testimony has emerged regarding the final days of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore. Prosecutors allege that Farwell killed Birchmore and her unborn child in 2021, staging the scene to resemble a suicide to prevent her from exposing federal crimes, including the sexual exploitation of a child.

Dr. Diala Alkhalil, a licensed mental health counselor, testified that Birchmore showed no signs of suicidal ideation. Dr. Alkhalil noted that Birchmore appeared happy about her pregnancy, despite knowing she would be a single mother. The defense, however, has questioned whether Birchmore’s use of antidepressants or reported visions of her deceased mother could have contributed to suicidal thoughts.

Farwell, who allegedly began grooming Birchmore when she was 15 and he was 27 through a police mentoring program, has pleaded not guilty. Witnesses, including friends and former colleagues, have described Birchmore’s excitement about motherhood and her aspirations to become a police officer.