BOSTON — Matthew Farwell’s trial opened Friday morning with sharply different accounts of Sandra Birchmore’s 2021 death.
Prosecutors allege Farwell groomed and sexually abused Birchmore beginning when she was 15, then strangled her and staged her death as a suicide to prevent her from exposing him.
They pointed to surveillance video, text messages, medical testimony and DNA evidence they say links Farwell to the strap found around her neck.
The defense maintains Birchmore died by suicide, citing her mental-health history, online searches, messages and the initial medical examiner’s ruling.
Attorneys also highlighted what they described as a lack of evidence showing a struggle.
Jurors must decide whether prosecutors can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Farwell committed premeditated murder.
Before opening statements were delivered, the court began the day by seating a jury of 10 men and six women after the selection process began Tuesday at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston.
The jury has been excused for the long weekend. Court resumes Tuesday.
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What happened Thursday?
Prospective jurors were questioned Thursday individually about their views on law enforcement, connections to mental health and suicide, whether they could handle seeing graphic images, and what they already knew about the case.
The judge focused on whether potential jurors could remain fair and impartial.
When asked about their knowledge of the case Thursday, one prospective juror said, “I don’t think I’ve heard enough evidence to make an opinion one way or another.”
Another prospective juror acknowledged that they were already leaning toward a verdict.
“Having heard what I heard, I’m leaning one way more than another,” the juror said.
When the judge asked which way, the juror responded, “That would be guilty.”
More than 400 prospective jurors were initially called to the courthouse Tuesday, and fewer than 40 were questioned Thursday individually.
Once the jury is seated, the trial can move forward.
Legal analyst weighs in
Boston 25 legal analyst Peter Elikann said the selection process focuses on finding jurors who haven’t already made up their minds.
“The key bottom line in jury selection is you can’t expect people who haven’t heard of the case, but you want to make sure that you’re getting jurors who will have an open mind and not be prejudiced or biased in either way,” Elikann said.
Timeline of the case
In the case, Matthew Farwell is charged with killing Sandra Birchmore and causing the death of her unborn baby.
Prosecutors allege Farwell sexually exploited Birchmore for years after meeting her through the Stoughton Police Department Explorers Program.
They also claim a pregnant Birchmore told Farwell he was the father of her child and that a friend of Birchmore called Stoughton police to reveal their affair.
DNA testing shows Farwell was not the father.
In February 2021, Birchmore was found dead in her Canton apartment.
More than three years later, in August of 2024, the FBI arrested Farwell.
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