Full Breakdown
Matthew Farwell Trial: Jury Selection Begins in Federal Case Over Sandra Birchmore’s Death
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Jury Selection and Upcoming Trial
Jury selection for the federal trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell began on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at the John J. Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston. The judge said 12 jurors and four alternates will be empaneled, with opening statements slated for Friday. Prosecutors expect the trial to last about five weeks; cameras are prohibited.
Background & Context – Relationship, Charges, and Legal Framework
Sandra Birchmore joined the Stoughton Police Explorers program in 2010. After Farwell became an instructor in 2012, prosecutors allege he began a sexual relationship with the 15-year-old Birchmore, with the first assault occurring on April 10, 2013. Texts from late 2020 show Birchmore telling Farwell she was pregnant and believed he was the father.
Federal prosecutors charge Farwell with two counts: killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child under 18 U.S.C. § 1841. The indictment, superseded in October 2025, added the unborn-child count to the original 2024 indictment following Farwell’s arrest in August 2024.
Timeline – Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Birchmore joins Explorers. |
| 2012 | Farwell becomes instructor. |
| April 10, 2013 | Alleged first assault. |
| 2020 | Pregnancy texts. |
| Early Feb 2021 | Birchmore found dead; ruled suicide. |
| Aug 2024 | Farwell arrested. |
| Oct 2025 | Superseding indictment adds unborn-child charge. |
| Oct 6 2026 | Jury selection begins. |
Data & Statistics – Charges and Jury Pool
- Charges: Two federal counts—killing a witness/victim; causing death of an unborn child.
- Jury pool: 411 questionnaires submitted; 116 jurors dismissed, 102 excluded, leaving roughly 40 candidates for final selection.
Official Statements & Responses
- Judge Denise Casper: “It’s really important that we seat a jury that doesn’t have its mind made up.”
- Defense attorney Joanne Daley: Highlighted Farwell’s community ties and federal compensation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Manner of Death
State investigators originally classified Birchmore’s death as suicide in early 2021. A federal grand jury later charged Farwell with homicide, and a 2024 autopsy by Dr. Michael Baden indicated injuries consistent with strangulation. In May 2024 the medical examiner amended the death certificate to “undetermined,” reflecting the dispute between the suicide ruling and the homicide theory.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s really important that we seat a jury that doesn’t have its mind made up,” — Denise Casper, judge
- “But even if he cannot find employment while this case is pending before trial, he does have compensation from the federal government.” — Joanne Daley, attorney
What’s Next – Trial Schedule
If the jury is finalized by Friday, opening statements will begin that day, each side allotted 45 minutes. The trial is projected to run about five weeks, after which jurors will decide whether Farwell intentionally killed Birchmore and her unborn child. The court has denied Farwell’s motions to change venue and to release him on bail; he remains in the Wyatt Federal Detention Facility pending trial.