United States v. Matthew Farwell

On Nov. 10, 2026, a federal jury in Boston found Matthew Farwell guilty on both counts, convicting him of killing Sandra Birchmore to stop her from reporting him and of causing the death of her unborn son. To convict on the first count, jurors had to find that he killed her to keep her from telling federal authorities about his crimes (CBS Boston). The jury had told the judge Nov. 9 that it was deadlocked, then reached its verdict the next afternoon (CBS Boston). Life in prison is mandatory, and Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper set sentencing for Feb. 3, 2027 (NBC Boston; CBS Boston). On Nov. 12, his lawyers told the court he plans to seek a new trial and asked for time to file motions for acquittal and a new trial until 30 days after they receive the final trial transcripts. Prosecutors didn't object (NBC Boston; Boston.com).

“Today, justice was served for Ms. Sandra Birchmore and her unborn son, both of whom died at the hands of Matthew Farwell,” U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said (CBS Boston). Sandra's cousin Barbara Wright said, “We finally got justice” (CBS Boston). Her cousin Ray Cosgrove said, “Sandra mattered before anyone outside her family knew her name” (NBC Boston).

Norfolk County District Attorney-elect Djuna Perkins said she plans to look into the Stoughton Police Explorers program, which Sandra joined as a girl. “I want to know what went wrong here and why,” she said (Boston 25 News).

Murders are usually prosecuted by local district attorneys (WBUR). Farwell was charged and convicted under a federal law against killing a witness, plus a federal law that makes causing the death of an unborn child a separate crime (superseding indictment; CBS Boston).

Bench Watch BreakdownKilling a witness (federal law)Show or hide the explanation

What it means

It is a federal crime to kill someone to stop them from telling law enforcement about a possible federal crime. Under the Supreme Court's 2011 decision in Fowler v. United States, the government has to show a reasonable likelihood that what the person knew would have been reported to a federal officer.

In this case

The jury found that Farwell killed Sandra Birchmore to keep her from reporting him to federal authorities. Prosecutors said he had abused her since she was a teen; he was not charged with that abuse itself.

Why it matters

It's why a death in a Massachusetts apartment was tried in federal court.

18 U.S.C. 1512

The state medical examiner ruled Birchmore's death a suicide in 2021, then changed the ruling to undetermined, a change made public May 1, 2026 (CBS Boston). A forensic pathologist hired by her family, Dr. Michael Baden, concluded it was a homicide (Boston.com). The defense argued she died by suicide (CBS Boston).

Bench Watch BreakdownManner of deathShow or hide the explanation

What it means

After a death, a medical examiner decides how it happened. The choices are natural, accident, suicide, homicide or undetermined. That ruling can change if new facts come out.

In this case

The medical examiner first ruled Sandra Birchmore's death a suicide. In spring 2026, the ruling was changed to undetermined. The defense argued she died by suicide. The jury found that Farwell killed her.

Why it matters

The ruling is not the final word in court. The jury decides what happened.

CBS Boston on the ruling change

Before trial, Chief Judge Denise J. Casper ruled that Birchmore's journal entries could be admitted at trial (Los Angeles magazine).

In March 2024, Matthew Farwell signed a voluntary decertification agreement with the state's police standards commission, agreeing that the allegations against him would support revoking his certification (POST). He had pleaded not guilty. The jury convicted him on both counts on Nov. 10, 2026 (CBS Boston).