Friend, Therapist Testify Sandra Birchmore Was Happy Before Her Death: Reports

STOUGHTON, MA — Court finished early on the ninth day of testimony in the federal trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell.

On Friday, two people took the stand to testify. Those who testified included Sandra Birchmore's friend Linda Crean and her therapist Diala Alkhalil, according to multiple reports.

• Details From Eighth Day Of Testimony: Father Of Birchmore's Unborn Child Testifies In Farwell Trial

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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.

Ninth Day Of Testimony

Lindsey Crean testified that Birchmore told her Farwell initiated sexual contact when Birchmore was 15 and had sex with her in his police vehicle while on duty, according to The Boston Globe. Crean said Birchmore was happy and excited about her pregnancy before her death, while Farwell had become increasingly concerned that his wife would learn about their relationship.

CBS Boston reported that jurors were also shown text messages between Crean and Birchmore.

Birchmore's longtime therapist, Diala Alkhalil, testified that Birchmore never showed signs of suicidal thoughts during treatment, according to The Boston Globe. Alkhalil last met with Birchmore on Jan. 31, 2021, one day before her death, and said Birchmore's anxiety had decreased and she seemed like her former self.

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