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

[sds71]

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise Casper denied the motion Friday, three days after Farwell appeared before her for a hearing on the issue. It marked the first time Farwell, a former Stoughton police officer accused of killing Sandra Birchmore, a pregnant woman prosecutors say he sexually abused when she was a teen, had appeared since his arrest in August 2024.

Farwell’s lawyers sought to move the trial, scheduled for October, from federal court in Boston to Rhode Island. They claimed that extensive media coverage of Farwell’s case, particularly in The Boston Globe, made it impossible for the 40-year-old to get a fair trial in the Bay State.

But Casper disagreed, finding that the coverage didn’t meet the high standard of prejudice necessary to justify moving a trial.

“Even when viewed collectively, however, the Court does not agree with Farwell that the nature and volume of media coverage have risen to the level that would warrant a change of venue,” Casper wrote in a 17-page memorandum and order, noting that though much of the reporting relies on the government’s accusations against Farwell, it includes mention that he denies the claims.

“The Court notes that even the most evenhanded media coverage of criminal cases may still include inflammatory or salacious details, depending on the nature of the underlying allegations for the criminal charges,” Casper continued.

Casper also noted that more than five-and-a-half years will have gone by since the time of Birchmore’s death when Farwell’s trial begins in October. Birchmore was found dead in her Canton apartment in February 2021.

Judge denies defense motion to move Matthew Farwell trial over media coverage

A federal judge determined that the risk of a prejudiced jury pool in the Matthew Farwell case will likely have dissipated by the time his trial starts.

www.masslive.com

 

[sds71]

In his request, Matthew Farwell, 40, denies killing Sandra Birchmore and asserts the two-count federal indictment against him is legally defective…

Farwell argues the indictment fails to meet the legal criteria for the crime of killing a witness because it does not allege there was “reasonable likelihood” that he took any action with the intent to stop anyone from providing information to federal law enforcement officials or federal judges, his lawyers wrote.

“To be clear, Mr. Farwell denies killing Ms. Birchmore; and the Government fails to properly allege that any killing was committed to prevent at least one relevant communication to a federal officer,” his lawyers wrote in court papers

Farwell seeks dismissal of criminal case in death of Sandra Birchmore - The Boston Globe

Matthew Farwell denies killing Sandra Birchmore and asserts the two-count federal indictment against him is legally defective.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[lohrtabitha]

In his request, Matthew Farwell, 40, denies killing Sandra Birchmore and asserts the two-count federal indictment against him is legally defective…

Farwell argues the indictment fails to meet the legal criteria for the crime of killing a witness because it does not allege there was “reasonable likelihood” that he took any action with the intent to stop anyone from providing information to federal law enforcement officials or federal judges, his lawyers wrote.

“To be clear, Mr. Farwell denies killing Ms. Birchmore; and the Government fails to properly allege that any killing was committed to prevent at least one relevant communication to a federal officer,” his lawyers wrote in court papers

Farwell seeks dismissal of criminal case in death of Sandra Birchmore - The Boston Globe

Matthew Farwell denies killing Sandra Birchmore and asserts the two-count federal indictment against him is legally defective.

www.bostonglobe.com

Another lying and corrupt cop close to Canton. Moo

 

[sds71]

Judge denies former Stoughton officer accused of killing Sandra Birchmore’s motion to have case dismissed - Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

BOSTON (WHDH) - The judge in Sandra Birchmore’s murder trial has denied the motion to have the case dismissed. Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police<a class="excerpt-read-more"...

whdh.com

 

[Derph]

Judge denies former Stoughton officer accused of killing Sandra Birchmore’s motion to have case dismissed - Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

BOSTON (WHDH) - The judge in Sandra Birchmore’s murder trial has denied the motion to have the case dismissed. Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police<a class="excerpt-read-more"...

whdh.com

OUTSTANDING news!!!!

 

[Seattle1]

Judge refuses to toss case against former officer accused of killing mistress

Matthew Farwell will stand trial on charges he killed his mistress, Sandra Birchmore, as well as her unborn child.

www.courttv.com

3/9/25

Chief United States District Judge Denise Casper denied Farwell’s motion, finding that the “superseding indictment is sufficiently specific” in the charges it lays out.

If he’s convicted as charged, Farwell faces a potential life sentence in prison; prosecutors elected not to seek the death penalty.

 

[Seattle1]

3/9/26

Sandra Birchmore attorney speaks out​

 

[Derph]

Never a dull moment up there!!! Twin brother of Matthew Farwell was father of Sandra Birchmore’s unborn child, attorneys say - The Boston Globe

" The twin brother of the former Stoughton police detective accused of killing Sandra Birchmore was the father of Birchmore’s unborn child, defense attorneys said in court documents Thursday. "

 

[Seattle1]

Never a dull moment up there!!! Twin brother of Matthew Farwell was father of Sandra Birchmore’s unborn child, attorneys say - The Boston Globe

" The twin brother of the former Stoughton police detective accused of killing Sandra Birchmore was the father of Birchmore’s unborn child, defense attorneys said in court documents Thursday. "

This story has been pulled. Seems the defense made this false allegation in a Motion in error???

Matthew Farwell defense amends filing, says unnamed person fathered Sandra Birchmore’s unborn son - The Boston Globe

Matthew Farwell is charged with killing Birchmore, a pregnant woman he allegedly began sexually exploiting when she was 15.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[Seattle1]

Legal error in Birchmore murder case falsely accuses Farwell brother of being father of unborn child [+text of motion]

In a massive legal blunder, the taxpayer-paid lawyers for accused murderer Matthew Farwell “amended” a pre-trial bail motion after alleging the defendant’s brother was the father of the victim’s unborn boy.

www.bostonherald.com

3/26/26

 

[Seattle1]

Farwell defense challenges evidence, seeks release in Birchmore murder case

The new filing outlines the defense’s version of evidence in the case tied to the death of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child.

www.wcvb.com

3/26/26

“These include, according to the government’s own evidence, Mr. Farwell’s brother who is a named defendant in the civil lawsuit as well as another individual who is the confirmed biological father of Ms. Birchmore’s fetus who has thus far not been publicly named,” the defense wrote.

Proposed conditions for his release include living with his mother and home confinement.

Farwell previously lost a bid to have the case moved out of state and a motion to dismiss the case.

 

[Derph]

This story has been pulled. Seems the defense made this false allegation in a Motion in error???

Matthew Farwell defense amends filing, says unnamed person fathered Sandra Birchmore’s unborn son - The Boston Globe

Matthew Farwell is charged with killing Birchmore, a pregnant woman he allegedly began sexually exploiting when she was 15.

www.bostonglobe.com

Well that's odd isn't it? Wonder what Brother Farwell's wife thinks about all this? There's possibly more shady stuff going on in this case then in the Read and Fitzimmons cases combined!

 

[Mack the Knife]

The earlier defense motion said the “government’s own evidence, Mr. Farwell’s brother who is a named defendant in the civil lawsuit as well as the confirmed biological father of Ms. Birchmore’s fetus who has thus far not been publicly named.”

The amended response clarifies that passage. It indicates that they are referring in that sentence to both William Farwell as well as another person who has not been identified.


The amended filing reads, “according to the government’s own evidence, Mr. Farwell’s brother who is a named defendant in the civil lawsuit, as well as another individual who is the confirmed biological father of Ms. Birchmore’s fetus who has thus far not been publicly named.”

Matthew Farwell defense amends filing, says unnamed person fathered Sandra Birchmore’s unborn son - The Boston Globe

Matthew Farwell is charged with killing Birchmore, a pregnant woman he allegedly began sexually exploiting when she was 15.

www.bostonglobe.com

Idk, it seems less like a false accusation by his brother’s attorneys and more like an error of bad writing to me.

And even with the update, Matthew Farwell’s attorneys refer to his brother as someone “who had ongoing affairs” with the victim. It’s not clear to me if those attorneys actually know the identity of the fetus’s father.

 

[waterslyd]

Matthew Farwell defense amends filing, says unnamed person fathered Sandra Birchmore’s unborn son - The Boston Globe

Matthew Farwell is charged with killing Birchmore, a pregnant woman he allegedly began sexually exploiting when she was 15.

www.bostonglobe.com

Idk, it seems less like a false accusation by his brother’s attorneys and more like an error of bad writing to me.

And even with the update, Matthew Farwell’s attorneys refer to his brother as someone “who had ongoing affairs” with the victim. It’s not clear to me if those attorneys actually know the identity of the fetus’s father.

I am disgusted that they're even bringing it up. Its VICTIM BLAMING at its worst. it doesn't matter which one of them's sperm actually swam to complete the mission. THEY BOTH EXPLOITED her beginning all those years ago when she was too young to consent. Shame on them. I mean, I get it that his attorneys almost have to bring it up to put up any possible defense. But I hope their dirty tactics don't help him out at all because he is absolutely despicable. His poor wife and kids are also victims.

 

[Mack the Knife]

I am disgusted that they're even bringing it up. Its VICTIM BLAMING at its worst. it doesn't matter which one of them's sperm actually swam to complete the mission. THEY BOTH EXPLOITED her beginning all those years ago when she was too young to consent. Shame on them. I mean, I get it that his attorneys almost have to bring it up to put up any possible defense. But I hope their dirty tactics don't help him out at all because he is absolutely despicable. His poor wife and kids are also victims.

FWIW, I don’t think the defense was taking a victim blaming angle here. I believe they’re trying to make the argument that multiple men (e.g. the twin brother, the fetus’s father) were in some way involved with Sandra or suspected of it, and those men acted in ways (e.g. interfering with witnesses, attempting to flee) that look bad, compared to their client Matthew Farwell who did not do those things, therefore Farwell is low risk, therefore he should be released before trial.

 

[waterslyd]

FWIW, I don’t think the defense was taking a victim blaming angle here. I believe they’re trying to make the argument that multiple men (e.g. the twin brother, the fetus’s father) were in some way involved with Sandra or suspected of it, and those men acted in ways (e.g. interfering with witnesses, attempting to flee) that look bad, compared to their client Matthew Farwell who did not do those things, therefore Farwell is low risk, therefore he should be released before trial.

I see what you're saying, they probably did bring it up for those reasons. It's just icky. And I still think he is a risk to society, he definitely can't be around children.

 

[Seattle1]

Matthew Farwell challenges evidence of homicide in push for bond

Attorneys for Matthew Farwell have pointed to his service in the U.S. Army and local police departments in their request for bond.

www.courttv.com

3/30/26

BOSTON (Court TV) — More than 18 months after he was arrested on charges that he killed his mistress and her unborn baby, a former Massachusetts police officer is fighting to be released from jail.

[..]

When Farwell was arrested in August 2024, he consented to a voluntary order of detention without prejudice. Now, he’s asking a judge to revisit the issue, saying he poses no threat to the community and should be released ahead of his trial.

MORE | Former officer accused of killing Sandra Birchmore, staging suicide

In a written motion opposing pretrial detention, Farwell’s attorneys questioned the strength of the federal government’s case. “Sandra Birchmore’s death by suicide was a tragedy, and the federal government’s allegations that Mr. Farwell instead killed her are undoubtedly serious,” the motion says. “Undersigned counsel expects, however, that much of what the government declaratively states as fact in its motion and accompanying affidavit are issues that will be heavily contested and litigated at trial.”

[..]

Farwell’s attorneys have proposed that he be released on a $50,000 bond with strict conditions that would include house arrest at his mother’s home.

No hearing has been scheduled on the motion.

 

[Vaderman]

Wow. How deep does law enforcement corruption in Massachusetts go?

 

[arielilane]

The Boston Globe’s story from yesterday was amended because Farwell’s defense amended their filing it now says William is not the father. We’ll refrain from posting about the father is until there is factual information. This isn’t a game we don’t know what his defense is doing!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2037538832912912584