A federal jury in South Boston delivered a guilty verdict on Tuesday afternoon, convicting former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer Matthew Farwell for the death of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child. The decision follows a month-long trial in which jurors heard testimony from 50 witnesses. More than 50 victims give statements at sentencing for Batavia chiropractor. Won’t issue gag order, lindsay Clancy trial judge denies motion to dismiss.
Farwell, who entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, was found guilty of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child. To secure the conviction, prosecutors had to prove that Farwell killed Birchmore specifically to prevent her from reporting his criminal actions to federal authorities. The jury had informed the court of a deadlock on Monday, but the judge instructed them to continue deliberations before they ultimately reached the verdict. But enough people would not remain silent.
U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley characterized Farwell’s actions as “absolutely diabolical behavior” during a news conference following the verdict. She stated that the evidence presented during the proceedings was both clear and shocking, asserting that justice was served for both the victim and her unborn son. This is a breaking news story that will be updated as more information is available.
Sentencing for Farwell is set for February 3, 2027. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Although the Department of Justice maintained the authority to pursue the death penalty in this case, officials confirmed last year that they would not seek capital punishment.
The legal history of the case dates back to February 2021, when 23-year-old Birchmore was found deceased in her Canton apartment with a strap around her neck. Her death was initially classified as a suicide, but investigators later reopened the inquiry. More than three years later, Farwell was arrested, and the medical examiner subsequently revised the official manner of death to “undetermined.”
Prosecutors argued that Farwell, who began an illicit sexual relationship with Birchmore when she was a 15-year-old cadet in the Stoughton Police youth program, strangled her after she became pregnant with his child. The prosecution contended that he staged the scene to resemble a suicide to conceal their years-long affair. Conversely, the defense argued that Birchmore suffered from mental health struggles and took her own life after being told the relationship was over and that Farwell was not the father. Farwell and Birchmore met when she was a 13-year-old cadet in the Stoughton Police Department’s youth explorers program. And he does not represent the men and women of the Stoughton Police Department, who serve this town with honor every day, he no longer wears this badge. Matthew Farwell used his position to harm someone the community had put in the care of this department.
Family members reacted with visible emotion as the verdict was read. Barbara Wright, a cousin of the victim, expressed a complex mix of relief and sorrow outside the court, noting that it had been nearly six years since the loss of her family member. “We finally got justice,” Wright stated, emphasizing that the victim deserved recognition for the duration of the fight to uncover the truth. Netflix releases “The Trials of Karen Read” trailer.
Current Stoughton police leadership also commented on the outcome. Acting Police Chief James O’Connor issued a statement supporting the jury’s decision, calling the case a profound betrayal of the public trust. He affirmed that the department stands by the verdict, noting that the former officer no longer represents the values of the agency. Man accused of fatally stabbing jogger Katie Suarez in Brooklyn awaiting indictment.
Chief Donna McNamara, currently on paid leave for unrelated matters, also spoke on the verdict, framing it as a tribute to the victim. “Today a federal jury has confirmed what became apparent to me some time ago, that Sandra was murdered and that her murderer was a police officer who took advantage of her trust and faith in the badge and uniform,” McNamara said. She added that while the verdict provides closure, significant questions regarding the circumstances of the case persist. Even after today, and rest assured that there are still more questions unanswered than are answered. Ex-Upland police chief charged with stealing more than $50K in OT he didn’t work.
