Prosecution Rests After 38 Witnesses In Trial Of Ex-MA Cop Accused Of Killing Pregnant Woman

STOUGHTON, MA — The prosecution has rested its case in the federal trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell.

Three people took the stand Wednesday, including FBI Special Agent Heidi Kelsch, digital forensic expert Jessica Hyde and Massasoit Community College administrator Joseph Harris.

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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.

• Details From The 11th Day Of Testimony: Matthew Farwell's Twin Says Birchmore Revealed Relationship With His Brother Began At 15: Reports

Prosecutors rested after presenting testimony from 38 witnesses over 12 days, according to Boston 25 News.

Hyde testified that Birchmore's phone last locked at 9:13 p.m., one minute before Farwell entered her apartment building. The phone recorded eight steps and its final button press at about 9:40 p.m., shortly before Farwell left the building, according to Boston.com.

The defense then called Harris, who supervised Birchmore when she worked as a peer tutor in 2017. Harris testified that Birchmore told him she had attempted suicide after asking for additional work hours. On cross-examination, he said Birchmore wanted the hours to earn enough money to move out of her home, according to Boston.com.

The trial is expected to last about five weeks. Farwell would face life in federal prison if convicted.

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