On Tuesday, November 10th, former police officer Matthew Farwell of Stoughton, Massachusetts, was convicted of two federal offenses linked to the death of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child in 2021. The charges included the murder of a witness and violating federal laws designed to protect unborn children.
The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 stipulates that when a particular federal violent crime leads to the death or bodily injury of a fetus within the womb, it constitutes a separate offense, resulting in additional criminal liability and punishment.
The trial was conducted at the federal court in Boston.
The jury commenced deliberations on Friday, November 6th. After several days of thorough discussions, they reached a verdict on Tuesday, finding Farwell guilty on both counts.
Birchmore was pregnant at the time of her death on February 1, 2021. Stoughton police reported that she had been involved in an extramarital affair with Farwell, which began when Birchmore was just 15 years old and participated in a police explorer program.
Farwell maintained his innocence, with his attorney arguing that Birchmore had actually died by suicide.
In a surprising turn, Farwell’s twin brother took the stand, admitting to engaging in an extramarital relationship with Birchmore after she became an adult and acknowledged that he received immunity in exchange for his testimony. Notably, Farwell himself chose to forgo the opportunity to testify in his own defense.
Sentencing has been set for February 3, 2027, marking six years and two days since Birchmore’s tragic death.
Initial investigations ruled Birchmore’s death as a suicide; however, in 2022, the Stoughton police chief held a press conference revealing that three former officers had inappropriate sexual relationships with Birchmore, one of whom had sexual relations with her when she was still a minor. This revelation prompted a renewed investigation into the case. The officers involved, including the Farwell brothers, resigned during the investigation.
In 2024, Farwell was arrested, with federal prosecutors announcing that he had been indicted following an FBI investigation. They accused him of murdering Birchmore to prevent her from exposing their relationship and related criminal activities.
At that time, Joshua Leavy, the acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, stated during a press conference that “Sandra Birchmore had been subjected to years of coercion, statutory rape, and sexual violence—all orchestrated by Matthew Farwell, who was a Stoughton police officer throughout their relationship and later became a detective.”
Interestingly, during the trial, Farwell was not charged with murder because, with rare exceptions, murder charges are typically filed by the state where the death occurred. There are currently no state charges filed against Farwell. The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office has classified the case as an “ongoing pending criminal matter,” which limits their ability to comment on it.
Additionally, the estate of Birchmore has initiated a civil lawsuit against the town of Stoughton, Farwell, and others, with hearings scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the federal trial.
Outside the courthouse, Birchmore’s cousin, Barbara Wright, expressed her concerns, stating, “There is still a lot of work to be done. This is not over, and there are others who need to be held accountable. They turned a blind eye and enabled him.”
This case continues to stir considerable controversy within Stoughton, leading to the suspension of both the town’s police chief and mayor.