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Jury finds Matthew Farwell guilty of killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child
WHDH • • nation
Key Points:
- Former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell was found guilty by a federal jury of killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child, convicted on charges of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child.
- Birchmore, 23, was murdered in February 2021 to prevent her from exposing Farwell’s federal crimes, including sexual exploitation of a child; Farwell had groomed her since she was 15 and met her for sex while on duty.
- Birchmore’s death was initially ruled a suicide, but evidence, including surveillance footage and witness testimonies, led to Farwell’s arrest in August 2024 and the overturning of that ruling.
- The jury deliberated for three days before returning a guilty verdict, with Birchmore’s supporters emotionally reacting to the decision, while Farwell showed no noticeable reaction.
- Farwell faces mandatory life imprisonment or the death penalty for killing a witness, with sentencing scheduled for February 3, 2027; Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara praised the verdict as justice for Birchmore.
