Prosecutors allege the former police officer groomed Birchmore as a child and killed her in 2021 while she was pregnant to stop her from exposing their secret sexual relationship

NEED TO KNOW

• Matthew Farwell’s attorney maintains that Sandra Birchmore, whom he is accused of grooming as a child and killing while she was pregnant, died by suicide
• During opening statements at Farwell’s federal trial on Friday, Oct. 9, defense attorney Kimberly Stevens cited a search on Birchmore’s phone related to suicide
• Prosecutors allege Farwell, a former cop, groomed Birchmore as a child and killed her in 2021 while she was pregnant to stop her from exposing their secret sexual relationship

Matthew Farwell’s attorney maintains that Sandra Birchmore, whom he is accused of grooming as a child and killing while she was pregnant, died by suicide.

During opening statements at Farwell’s federal trial in Massachusetts on Friday, Oct. 9, defense attorney Kimberly Stevens argued that her client did not kill Birchmore, citing her online search for “What color is the suicide ribbon?” before her death, NBC Boston reported.

In February 2021, the 23-year-old was found dead in her Canton, Mass., apartment after she didn’t show up for work as a teaching assistant. Her death was initially ruled a suicide. Years later, Farwell, a married Stoughton police officer, was arrested and charged in connection with the case.

Prosecutors allege Farwell, now 40, strangled Birchmore and staged the scene to look like a suicide to stop Birchmore from exposing their secret sexual relationship. They also claim he groomed Birchmore when she was a child and later agreed to impregnate her in exchange for her silence.

But when she got pregnant, Farwell was allegedly angry about it. Birchmore reportedly told a friend, “He wants nothing to do with the baby,” according to prosecutors.

Farwell’s wife was also pregnant at the time.

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In court, Stevens cited text messages Birchmore sent Farwell as evidence that she was stressed, NBC Boston reported. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of killing a witness or victim and one count of protection of unborn children, with prosecutors claiming he also caused the death of Birchmore’s unborn child.

During opening statements, prosecutors said Birchmore was excited about her first pregnancy, according to NBC Boston. She reportedly told 80 people about it and had bought baby clothes, among other items.

The jury was excused Friday after opening statements. The trial is expected to resume on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with witness testimony.

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