FBI Trial: Federal Jury Hears Evidence in Death of Sandra Birchmore

A federal jury in Boston is currently hearing evidence in the murder trial of former police detective Matthew Farwell, a case that has reignited scrutiny of how local law enforcement handled the initial investigation. The prosecution argues that Farwell killed Sandra Birchmore in February 2021 to prevent her from exposing a long-term sexual relationship and their pregnancy.

The first key point of the trial centers on the physical evidence presented by federal experts. Dr. William Smock, a pathologist brought in by federal authorities, testified that Birchmore was strangled using a duffel bag strap. He concluded that the 23-year-old woman struggled before dying, contradicting the original state medical examiner’s determination of suicide. That office has since changed the official cause of death to undetermined.

The second point involves the timeline established by digital forensics. Security camera footage shows Farwell entering Birchmore’s apartment building in Stoughton at 9:14 p.m. on February 1, 2021. A forensic expert testified that Birchmore’s phone stopped moving at 9:40 p.m., just three minutes before cameras recorded Farwell leaving the lobby. Prosecutors state that Birchmore was approximately eight weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

The third key point addresses the conduct of the original Stoughton police investigation. Federal prosecutors claim that state troopers working within the Norfolk County district attorney’s office quickly concluded the death was a suicide. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey Cummings told jurors that investigators interviewed Farwell for only 15 minutes in a parking lot. They did not take notes, examine him for injuries, or collect DNA samples before he deleted his text messages with Birchmore.

Context for the case begins with the relationship between Birchmore and Farwell, who was 27 when Birchmore was 15. Birchmore participated in a police mentoring program in Stoughton at age 12, and Farwell soon connected with her on social media. Over the following years, the two exchanged approximately 40,000 text messages. One message from 2020 recorded by Birchmore described their first sexual encounter in 2013 as the best day of her life. Farwell replied that it was the same for him.

Tensions escalated in 2020 when Birchmore became pregnant and pressured Farwell to acknowledge paternity. Farwell, who was married, responded to her news by saying he had nothing to say. He later called her the worst person on the face of the earth after she suggested he be present at the birth. A paternity test later revealed that Jason Pickard, an Army recruiter, was the biological father. Pickard testified that Birchmore told him Farwell was the father and that they had begun their relationship when she was underage.

The FBI began investigating the death in 2023 after Brian Holmes, a former deputy chief at the Stoughton Police Department, raised concerns. Holmes had led an internal affairs review but did not release his findings before Farwell resigned from the force. Holmes concluded that Farwell had a sexual relationship with Birchmore. Billy Farwell, Matthew’s twin brother, testified that the lead investigator, a family friend, wanted the case closed quickly. He recalled the investigator saying he needed the investigation like he needed a bullet in the head.

Defense attorney Kimberly Stevens argues that Farwell is a human being who made regrettable mistakes but did not kill Birchmore. She characterizes Birchmore as a troubled woman who started psychiatric medication at age six and had a history of suicide attempts. Stevens told jurors that Farwell went to the apartment to break up with Birchmore, who was stressed, worried, and had less than three dollars in her bank account. Prosecutors finished presenting their case on Wednesday. The defense is expected to call witnesses for a third day on Friday before the case is submitted to the jury as early as next week.