Matthew Farwell trial begins for alleged murder of Sandra Birchmore

Testimony has commenced in the federal trial of Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police detective accused of killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child in 2021. Farwell faces two federal charges: killing a witness or victim and killing a child in utero.

Prosecutors allege that Farwell began a sexual relationship with Birchmore when she was 15 years old and a member of the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorer’s Program. They contend he strangled Birchmore to prevent her from making their relationship public. While a state investigation initially ruled Birchmore's death a suicide, an FBI investigation led to Farwell’s indictment.

During the first day of testimony, Detective Heather Cheever testified regarding a 2020 mental health call at Birchmore’s home. Cheever noted that while Birchmore had expressed a desire to hurt herself during an argument with her aunt, she did not believe the young woman was suicidal at the time. Prosecutors also intend to present video evidence of Farwell wearing a medical mask while visiting Birchmore’s Canton apartment on the night of her death.