STOUGHTON, MA — The third day of testimony is underway on Thursday in the federal trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell.
A friend of Sandra Birchmore and two Stoughton police officials took the witness stand Thursday as prosecutors continued presenting their case.
Farwell, 40, is charged with killing Birchmore and causing the death of her unborn child. Prosecutors allege he strangled the pregnant 23-year-old in her Canton apartment in 2021 to prevent her from disclosing their relationship, which they say began when she was 15. Farwell has pleaded not guilty and maintains Birchmore died by suicide.
Prosecutors say Farwell killed the 23-year-old to prevent her from disclosing that he had groomed and sexually abused her beginning when she was 15, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The first set of witnesses took the stand Tuesday after a jury of 16 was finalized last week.
Farwell faces federal charges of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of a child in utero, according to a superseding indictment. Prosecutors claim Farwell strangled Birchmore in her apartment on Feb. 1, 2021, then staged the scene to appear as though she died by suicide.
Farwell's defense acknowledges that he had an affair with Birchmore but maintains that he did not kill her.
Birchmore's friend Lesley Davis testified that she spoke with Birchmore on the day prosecutors say she died. Davis said Birchmore did not mention suicide and nothing about the conversation seemed unusual, according to the Boston Globe.
Stoughton Police Sgt. Robert Kuhn testified that Farwell appeared stressed before Birchmore's death. Kuhn and Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara also said Farwell opposed COVID-19 mask requirements. Prosecutors have shown surveillance video of Farwell wearing a mask as he entered Birchmore's apartment building on the night she died.
Digital forensic analyst Nicholas Guarino was the next witness called Thursday.
The trial is expected to last about five weeks. Farwell would face life in federal prison if convicted.
Editor's note: This story was last updated Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and will be updated with additional testimony from the third day of the trial.
See Also:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Stoughton Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.