Federal prosecutors filed a motion on Sunday, October 11, requesting that a judge allow three women to testify in the murder trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell. These women reportedly had extramarital affairs with Farwell. He is accused of killing 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child in her Canton, Massachusetts, apartment in February 2021.
Challenging the Defense’s Narrative
The government’s request follows opening statements made by defense attorney Kimberly Stevens on Friday, October 9. Stevens argued that Farwell wore a COVID mask while visiting Birchmore’s apartment on the day of her death to hide his infidelity from his wife.
Prosecutors argue this explanation contradicts Farwell’s behavior in other relationships. They contend that the three women would testify that Farwell did not wear masks or disguises during their encounters, nor did he ask them to delete messages or take steps to conceal those relationships. The prosecution argues this evidence undermines the defense’s claim that his mask use was motivated by marital secrecy.
The Prosecution’s Argument
The prosecution maintains that Farwell wore a mask on February 1, 2021, to avoid identification at a crime scene. They allege he murdered Birchmore to prevent her from exposing his past exploitation of her, which began when she was a teenager in a Stoughton police mentoring program.
“Farwell’s attempt not to be seen when he went to Ms. Birchmore’s apartment proves that he was there to kill Ms. Birchmore, and not merely present as a cheating spouse afraid that his wife may find out,” the motion stated. The judge had previously denied a request to introduce testimony regarding these affairs but left the door open to revisit the issue if the defense made the relationships relevant.
Disputed Evidence and Legal Misstatements
Prosecutors have also requested curative instructions regarding alleged misstatements of law made by the defense during opening statements. The government claims the defense incorrectly suggested that to prove the charge of killing a witness, the prosecution must demonstrate that Birchmore intended to communicate directly with a federal officer.
Additionally, prosecutors challenged the defense’s reference to a text message allegedly sent by Birchmore, which the government claims does not exist. The court is expected to rule on the admissibility of the testimony from the three women as the trial proceeds.
Key Details of the Case
- Defendant: Matthew Farwell, former Stoughton police detective.
- Victim: Sandra Birchmore, 23, who was approximately eight weeks pregnant at the time of her death.
- Charges: Killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child.
- Defense Stance: Farwell has pleaded not guilty; his defense team maintains that Birchmore died by .
Next Steps in the Trial
Following the conclusion of jury selection on Friday, the trial is set to proceed with witness testimony. The prosecution has identified 67 potential witnesses, while the defense has identified 97. The judge’s ruling on the testimony of the three women is expected to be a pivotal moment in the trial.
