STOUGHTON, MA — After a weekend break, the tenth day of testimony finished in the federal trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell.
Three people took the stand Monday, including Birchmore's longtime therapist Diala Alkhalil, forensic pathologist Dr. Maria Capó Martínez and Farwell's twin brother, former Stoughton police officer William Farwell, according to multiple reports.
Farwell, 40, is charged with killing Sandra 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.
Alkhalil acknowledged Birchmore's history of mental health struggles but said she never assessed her as a suicide risk. She testified that Birchmore appeared upbeat and was excited about becoming a mother during their final appointment, one day before her death, according to WHDH.
Capó Martínez, who performed Birchmore's autopsy, testified that she had limited information from police when she initially ruled the death a suicide. She said investigators did not provide her with evidence suggesting Birchmore's death could have been a homicide. The manner of death was changed from suicide to undetermined earlier this year, WHDH reported.
William Farwell testified under a grant of immunity and acknowledged having sex with Birchmore while he was on duty as a Stoughton police officer. His testimony is expected to continue Tuesday, according to The Boston Globe.
The trial is expected to last about five weeks. Farwell would face life in federal prison if convicted.
See Also: Stoughton Police Department Earns State Accreditation
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