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Matthew Farwell murder trial

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2026-10-13 19:39 UTC → 2026-10-20 23:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Jury selection commenced on October 6, 2026, in the federal murder trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell. Farwell is accused of killing 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child in February 2021, then staging the scene to resemble a suicide. Prosecutors allege Farwell groomed Birchmore through a police mentoring program when she was 15 and killed her to prevent the exposure of their long-term sexual relationship after she became pregnant. Farwell faces two federal charges: killing a witness or victim and killing a child in utero. While state investigators initially ruled the death a suicide, an FBI investigation led to Farwell’s indictment and arrest in August 2024. By October 13, testimony had begun. 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 that time. During opening statements, Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings stated 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, and his defense maintains the death was a suicide. Defense attorneys have pointed to Birchmore’s history of suicidal thoughts and text messages sent on the day of her death expressing stress and physical discomfort. ~~The prosecution intends to present evidence including photos and video of~~ If convicted, Farwell ~~entering Birchmore’s apartment wearing~~ faces a ~~mask and hood.~~ mandatory life sentence.

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