Matthew Farwell on trial for murder of Sandra Birchmore

A federal trial is underway for Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer accused of murdering 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in February 2021. Prosecutors allege Farwell killed Birchmore to prevent her from exposing years of sexual exploitation that allegedly began when she was a minor in a police department Explorer’s Program.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings stated during opening statements that Farwell used his position as a mentor to groom and abuse Birchmore starting when she was 15 years old. Evidence presented includes explicit text messages regarding their relationship.

Farwell has pleaded not guilty, with his defense team maintaining that Birchmore’s death was a suicide. If convicted, Farwell faces a mandatory life sentence.