Jury Begins Deliberating in Federal Murder Trial of Ex-Officer Matthew Farwell Over Sandra Birchmore’s Death

Federal jury weighs charges after closing arguments in Boston

November 7, 2026 · 2:30 a.m. Central / 3:30 a.m. Eastern

A federal jury in Boston began deliberating Friday afternoon in the murder trial of Matthew Farwell, the former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer accused of strangling 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore in 2021 and staging her Canton apartment to make her death appear to be a suicide.

After nearly four weeks of testimony before U.S. Chief District Judge Denise Casper, the panel of 12 deliberating jurors—eight men and four women—deliberated for roughly three hours Friday before asking to recess for the weekend. Deliberations are scheduled to resume Monday morning at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse.

Farwell, 40, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child. Prosecutors say Birchmore was approximately eight weeks pregnant when she died on February 1, 2021, and that Farwell killed her to keep her from exposing a years-long sexual relationship that began when she was 15 and enrolled in the Stoughton Police Explorers youth program.

Prosecutors cite DNA and neck fracture; defense points to mental health struggles

In closing arguments Friday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Fogerty told jurors that Birchmore’s pregnancy created a “massive problem” for Farwell that threatened his career, marriage, and freedom. Pointing to surveillance footage from Birchmore’s Canton apartment building on the night of February 1, 2021, Fogerty said Farwell arrived wearing a hood and face covering to conceal his identity, strangled her, and staged the scene.

Prosecutors highlighted forensic testimony showing a fractured hyoid bone in Birchmore’s neck, a broken necklace, and Farwell’s DNA on the section of a duffel-bag strap tied around her neck and secured to a closet door. In rebuttal, prosecutor Elizabeth Riley told the jury that Birchmore had excitedly shared news of her pregnancy, scheduled a maternity photo shoot, and bought baby items days before her death.

Defense attorney Kimberly Stevens urged jurors to acquit Farwell, arguing that the government had not proved homicide beyond a reasonable doubt. Stevens contended that Birchmore had a documented history of depression and suicidal ideation, and argued that after Farwell went to her apartment to end their relationship permanently, she took her own life. Defense experts testified during the trial that digital searches on Birchmore’s devices and certain autopsy findings were consistent with a self-inflicted hanging.

Key dates in the Sandra Birchmore case

February 1, 2021: Surveillance cameras record Matthew Farwell entering and leaving Sandra Birchmore’s apartment building in Canton, Massachusetts, the night prosecutors say she was killed.
February 4, 2021: Birchmore’s body is discovered in her apartment; state authorities initially rule the death a suicide.
August 2024: Federal authorities arrest Farwell following an FBI investigation and charge him in U.S. District Court with killing a witness and causing the death of an unborn child.
October–November 2026: Witness testimony unfolds over nearly four weeks in Boston federal court, featuring forensic pathologists, digital investigators, and former law enforcement colleagues.
Friday, November 6, 2026: Prosecutors and defense counsel deliver closing arguments; jurors deliberate for three hours before pausing until Monday, November 9.