MA - Sandra Birchmore, Stoughton, 4 Feb 2021 *former police officer arrested*

[ch_13]

Prosecutors say they will introduce DNA evidence in case against ex-officer charged with murder of Sandra Birchmore - The Boston Globe

Prosecutors will introduce “expert testimony regarding DNA testing" in the case, according to court records.

www.bostonglobe.com

Prosecutors will introduce “expert testimony regarding DNA testing in this case and [have] provided the results of preliminary DNA testing to counsel” for Farwell, according to a status report on the case filed Thursday by prosecutors and his federal public defenders in US District Court in Boston.

I assume the DNA is from the fetal tissue taken during the autopsy.

 

[Derph]

New article by Boston Magazine about the Sandra Birchmore murder. Such a very sad story for her. This should make people furious. I know I am. These cops up there are monsters. If they are capable of this is there really any question how shady and off the rails the Karen Read case is? What about other cases??? This isn't just one or two bad apples. It's a culture with multiple people involved. The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore

 

[sds71]

The town of Abington has recommended that former school resource officer Josh Heal be stripped of his police certification by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

Abington Town Manager Scott Lambaise told investigative reporter Ted Daniel that the new Abington Police Chief submitted a recommendation to “decertify” Heal after POST requested a 2023 town report that detailed Heal’s statements about his relationship with Sandra Birchmore before her alleged murder in February 2021.

POST reached out to the town days before 25 Investigates reported that credible allegations made against Heal were never reported to the state law enforcement watchdog agency.

25 Investigates: Abington recommends ‘decertification’ for former cop linked to Sandra Birchmore

The town of Abington has recommended that former school resource officer Josh Heal be stripped of his police certification by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST).

www.boston25news.com

 

[scapa]

New article by Boston Magazine about the Sandra Birchmore murder. Such a very sad story for her. This should make people furious. I know I am. These cops up there are monsters. If they are capable of this is there really any question how shady and off the rails the Karen Read case is? What about other cases??? This isn't just one or two bad apples. It's a culture with multiple people involved. The Betrayal of Sandra Birchmore

Thanks for this -- excellent, detailed and savagely honest article. What this crew of police officers subjected SB to, both before and after her death, is sickening and terrifying. No one tried to stop them, and they had no interest in stopping themselves.

The fact that punishment may begin and end for some with "decertification" is obscene. Good on the Justice for SB group and some media for continuing to publish these crimes. Her tormentors, murderer and his enablers should be not free to "regret their actions." Shocking.

 

[arielilane]

@SandraBirchmore

The hearing for tomorrow has been canceled. There is a discovery issue. Both sides asked for a delay.
The new hearing will be on 2/4/2025 the 4 year anniversary of the day Sandra’s body was found.

 

[weepingangel]

This appears to be a recent article (dated today)
Apologies, it’s the Globe so you’ll have to get thru the paywall

Sandra Birchmore put her trust in Stoughton police. They broke it.

Sandra Birchmore idolized Stoughton police officers. Time and again, authorities investigating her death gave the benefit of the doubt to the police officer now accused of killing her.

apps.bostonglobe.com

 

[Seattle1]

Globe Magazine - part 2 -- the most damning details:

What did investigators miss in the Sandra Birchmore case?

Sandra Birchmore’s family spent years trying to make someone look more closely at the circumstances of her death.

apps.bostonglobe.com

 

[arielilane]

@SandraBirchmore


Feb 1st is the 4 year anniversary of Sandra’s murder. We’re holding a standout at the Canton PD 1pm to 3pm. Feb 4th we’re holding a standout at 9am for Matthew Farwell’s hearing. We need to send a message we will continue our fight to ensure Justice for Sandra Birchmore.

9:50 AM · Jan 17, 2025

 

[weepingangel]

Sandra Birchmore was killed 4 years ago today. Here’s how her case sparked outrage

On the fourth anniversary of Sandra Birchmore's killing, protestors shouted at the Canton Police Department station in a call for the young pregnant woman's justice.

www.masslive.com

 

[Wishbone]

New hearing date set in case of Former Stoughton officer accused in murder of Sandra Birchmore

A hearing involving former police officer Matthew Farwell, accused of strangling a young woman and staging the scene, took place in Federal Court on Monday.

www.boston25news.com

 

[Seattle1]

New hearing date set in case of Former Stoughton officer accused in murder of Sandra Birchmore

A hearing involving former police officer Matthew Farwell, accused of strangling a young woman and staging the scene, took place in Federal Court on Monday.

www.boston25news.com

From the quoted link"

A new status hearing has been scheduled for April 15, at which time the court hopes to set a trial date.


Although both the prosecution and defense noted that a large volume of evidence still needs to be reviewed, the defense recently requested a “significant” amount of discovery.

 

[Seattle1]

Looking at the Docket, this hearing is very important because it's going to be the first if it actually happens.

United States District Court
District of Massachusetts (Boston)
CRIMINAL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 1:24−cr−10259−DJC−1

9/9/24 -- Detention hearing on 9/12/24- canceled.

10/2/24 -- Initial Status Conference of 10/17/24 - canceled.
10/15/24 -- Initial Status Conference of 12/3/24- canceled.
12/3/24-- Interim Status Conference of 2/4/25 - canceled.

2/10/25 -- Status Conference 4/15/25 per MSN.

CM/ECF - USDC Massachusetts - Version 1.8.2 as of 12/23/2024

ecf.mad.uscourts.gov

 

[Seattle1]

Although both the prosecution and defense noted that a large volume of evidence still needs to be reviewed, the defense recently requested a “significant” amount of discovery.

I need to pull the defense Motion for this unusual or "significant discovery" request but I'm really curious what's going on behind the scenes with Farwell.

Thus far he's successfully avoided all court appearances, and hasn't waived his right to a speedy trial. Is he trying to mount a 'snitch defense,' and hope to turn witness for the state and/or feds-- thinking they will give him choice accommodations if he sells out his superiors?

What a selfish jerk, still thinking only of Matt. I recall his spouse (?) is an attorney -- not sure what area of law she practices... MOO

 

[Seattle1]

Sandra Birchmore case returns to court; trial date still not set

The federal case against Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police detective accused of killing Sandra Birchmore after grooming her for years, was back in court Monday morning. The case returned to the United States District Court in Boston for a status conference hearing. Farwell did not...

www.nbcboston.com

2/10/25

The case returned to the United States District Court in Boston for a status conference hearing. Farwell did not appear.

The hearing was fairly uneventful - the prosecution and defense attorneys told the judge that they are collaborating to disclose the necessary evidence. The government also stated that they are specifically working on a review protocol for devices that could contain privileged information.

The next hearing was set for April 15. The judge advised both sides to begin considering setting a trial date.

[..]

A hearing for the case was originally scheduled in mid-September but was canceled after a judge granted the defense's motion for a "voluntary order of detention," meaning that Farwell would voluntarily remain in custody while his attorneys continued to review his case.

The judge also granted a protective order to contain information about the case on September 9th, preventing Farwell from reviewing the evidence without attorneys present.

 

[arielilane]

-- Late to post
-- Initial post 2/10/2025

@SandraBirchmore


Farewell didn’t come to court. It was a short hearing. The judge wanted an update. Both sides are working together to exchange discovery. April 15th is the next hearing. She wants a realistic trial date to be set on April 15th. We’re sad he wasn’t in court but happy it happened!


4:42 PM · Feb 10, 2025

https://twitter.com/x/status/1889067447317041637

 

[Wishbone]

There is a section on the SB murder included in the Canton MA Police Dept audit worth reading.

Police Audit Report | Canton, MA - Official Website

www.town.canton.ma.us

 

[scapa]

There is a section on the SB murder included in the Canton MA Police Dept audit worth reading.

Police Audit Report | Canton, MA - Official Website

www.town.canton.ma.us

FYI -- the section on Sandra begins on p. 99.

 

[Wishbone]

Karen Read's defense barred from referencing another controversial case

Prosecutors argued that the investigation of Sandra Birchmore's death was "remote in time and circumstance" from the investigation into John O'Keefe's death.

www.wcvb.com

Read's legal team previously sought documents related to the Birchmore investigation, but were denied.


Brennan argued that any reference to the Birchmore case would confuse the jury currently hearing Read's retrial.


"Testimony about this unrelated death investigation would result in a trial within a trial, with much of the information being inadmissible, confidential, or offered without a proper foundation," Brennan wrote.

Judge Beverly Cannone granted the order on Tuesday, scribbling on the document, "Allowed, unless door is opened."

 

[sds71]

The allegations against a former Stoughton police deputy chief over his interactions with Sandra Birchmore have been publicized at a news conference, in a wrongful death lawsuit, and in records from the state’s regulator for law enforcement officers.

Yet when Robert C. Devine’s two-day adjudicatory hearing begins Thursday in Boston to decide whether he should permanently lose his authority to work as a police officer, the proceedings will be secret.

The decision by the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, or POST, to close the hearing was criticized by some police reform advocates who say the move undermines the agency’s mission to build public confidence in the system for disciplining police officers.

Ex-Stoughton deputy police chief in Sandra Birchmore case faces secret hearing over alleged misconduct - The Boston Globe

A retired Superior Court judge closed the hearing for Robert Devine, writing in an order that there is “no reasonable method” for holding any part of the hearing in public “without a substantial risk of disclosing confidential evidence.”

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1930644205660946640