Former Stoughton officer Matthew Farwell appears in Boston federal court in Sandra Birchmore murder case
Federal case returns to open court as defense seeks to move trial out of Massachusetts
A former Stoughton police detective accused of killing a pregnant woman and attempting to disguise the death as a suicide appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boston, as a judge heard arguments over whether the trial should be relocated to Rhode Island.
The hearing marked Matthew Farwell’s first in-court appearance since his August 2024 arrest. The proceeding focused on pretrial issues, including the defense request to move the case, and did not address evidence in front of a jury. Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper heard arguments from both sides and said she would rule later.
Allegations center on the 2021 death of Sandra Birchmore
Prosecutors allege Farwell killed Sandra Birchmore, 23, on or about Feb. 1, 2021, in her Canton apartment by strangulation. Investigators allege the scene was then staged to appear consistent with suicide. Birchmore was eight to 10 weeks pregnant at the time, according to charging documents.
Farwell was indicted on a federal count of killing a witness or victim, a charge that can carry life imprisonment and, under certain circumstances, the possibility of a death sentence. He has pleaded not guilty and has remained in federal custody while the case proceeds.
Superseding indictment added a fetal-death charge in 2025
In October 2025, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment adding a second count alleging Farwell caused the death of Birchmore’s unborn child. Farwell entered not guilty pleas to the two-count indictment through filed paperwork and waived his right to be present at a brief arraignment proceeding.
The fetal-death count is brought under a federal statute criminalizing harm to a child in utero during the commission of certain violent crimes and carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
Prosecutors allege grooming and exploitation beginning when Birchmore was a minor
The federal case also includes allegations that Farwell used his position as a police officer to groom and sexually exploit Birchmore beginning when she was 15, with a sexual relationship continuing into her adulthood, including encounters that prosecutors say occurred while he was on duty.
Investigators allege the killing was intended to prevent disclosures to law enforcement about the relationship and alleged abuse.
Key upcoming decisions: venue, schedule, and potential penalties
Venue: The court must decide whether the case will be tried in Massachusetts or moved to Rhode Island.
Trial schedule: The court previously set a jury trial date of Oct. 5, 2026, with an estimated four-week trial.
Sentencing posture: In December 2025, the Justice Department notified the court it would not seek the death penalty, leaving life imprisonment as a central exposure if Farwell is convicted.
The charges are allegations. Farwell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.