Matthew Farwell trial (live updates): More witnesses to testify about Sandra Birchmore’s death

BOSTON — Testimony in federal court in Boston is set to resume Wednesday morning in the trial of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who is charged with killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn baby.

A Massachusetts State Police trooper is expected to return to the stand when court resumes, with four additional witnesses expected to follow.

Prosecutors allege Farwell killed Birchmore and staged her death to look like a suicide. The defense says Farwell went to Birchmore’s apartment to end their relationship and that Birchmore took her own life.

Live court updates

10:17 a.m.

“Your planned interview that you cited was with Darlene Smith?” the prosecution asked. “Yes.” “And was that an in person interview? Dunne said no, Darlene was in NH and this was a telephone interview.
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

10:15 a.m.

Prosecution: “What day was the autopsy of Sandra Birchmore scheduled? “ Dunne: “That same day.” Dunne said he didn’t go to the autopsy because at that point there was no suspicion of foul play. He also had a preplanned interview with SB’s Aunt Darlene. “So is it fair to say there was no plan to attend the autopsy,” the prosecution asked. “No,” Dunne said and shook his head.
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

10:11 a.m.

The prosecution asked Dunne what his plan was to contact Matthew Farwell when leaving East Elementary School. Dunne said he notified the case supervisor about that information. Dunne said he did not contact Farwell that day.
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

10:08 a.m.

Dunne also spoke to the school nurse, a teacher’s aide, and a recess monitor. They also talked about the father of Birchmore’s baby, they she was always on her phone, and was an over-sharer. Dunne says the school recess monitor said Birchmore “seemed generally happy and was doing well.”
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

10:01 a.m.

Dunne is talking about a case he worked with Matthew Farwell – his first professional encounter he had with Farwell Going back to Principal Reynolds the prosecution asks “How soon after you started the interview with Principal Reynolds did he mention Matthew Farwell?” Dunne: “Very early on in the conversation.” The prosecution asks about Ms. Carlson - remember she testified yesterday. Prosecution asked Dunne what Carlson said to him about the father of Birchmore’s baby being a married, Stoughton Police department. Dunne said he’d have to go back to the report but he remembers that.
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

9:56 a.m.

Dunne went to Sharon to East Elementary School to meet with Birchmore’s employer. He met with the Principal, Assistant Principal, and nurse. Prosecution: “What did Principal Reynolds tell you about Matthew Farwell?” Dunne said: “That Matthew Farwell would have more information.”
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

9:53 a.m.

The prosecution asking several questions of Dunne about what the Office of Chief Medical Examiner would do differently when a death is deemed suspicious. Dunne: “again I’m aware that there are different protocols that they follow. To say I have any in depth knowledge to say what would happen….I’m really not certain.” Dunne said, “I know they have different protocols when something is called in.” Prosecution: “Did you deem it suspicious?” Dunne: “Called it in as a suspicious death? No.”
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

9:48 a.m.

Prosecution is asking Dunne about interviewing neighbors after a death investigation. What if anything did you do to talk to the person in the adjoining apartment? What if anything did you do to talk to the person on the other side of Ms. Birchmore’s apartment? Dunne said he didn’t talk to either apartment. “Are there ways to flag a death as suspicious?” asked the prosecution. “Certainly.” Prosecution: “Are you able to flag a death as suspicious to the medical examiner?” Dunne said, “Yes.”
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

9:43 a.m.

The prosecution is asking what Trooper Dunne did to preserve any of the items that are on Ms. Birchmore’s bed and in the laundry room. He appears to say nothing.
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

9:28 a.m.

Trooper Dunne is shown a posterboard that was inside of Birchmore’s apartment. It is a congratulations poster for Birchmore.
Now a graphic image of Birchmore is being shown. You can see her face.
The prosecution is asking about why Trooper Dunne did not take a flamingo pendant…
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

9:21 a.m.

State Police Trooper Matthew Dunne is back on the stand under direct examination of the prosecution in the trial of Matthew Farwell. This is the third day of the trial. He described what he saw when he walked into Birchmore’s room including her cell phone. The prosecution is…
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) October 14, 2026

What happened on Day 1 of testimony?

Jurors heard testimony on Tuesday from Stoughton police detective Heather Cheever, who said she mentored Birchmore.

Cheever told jurors she did not believe it when she learned of Birchmore’s death because Birchmore “never expressed to me that she was ever suicidal.”

Birchmore’s former boss, Cheryl Carlson, also testified Tuesday. Carlson hired Birchmore to work as an instructional assistant in Sharon Public Schools and described her excitement about becoming a mother.

“It didn’t make sense to me because she was so excited to have that baby. She was so determined to have that baby,” Carlson said.

Carlson told jurors Birchmore was so excited about her pregnancy that “anybody that she came in contact with” knew about it, including students and staff.

Jurors also heard testimony about the discovery of Birchmore’s body.

After Birchmore failed to show up for work following a snowstorm, officers conducted a welfare check at her apartment at Canton Woods. Canton police officer Ensley Cotard testified that he went to the apartment with two other officers and discovered Birchmore’s body in a bedroom with a duffel bag strap around her neck.

Jurors were shown images of Birchmore’s body during the first day of witness testimony.

Another issue emerging in the trial involves a face mask the defense says Farwell wore when entering Birchmore’s apartment. During opening statements, the defense argued Farwell wore the mask to conceal his identity and hide his affair.

Prosecutors, however, say three other women who had affairs with Farwell will testify that he did not use a mask to hide his identity. The judge is considering a motion involving that testimony.

Cameras are not permitted inside federal court. Boston 25 News reporter Ryan Breslin will be in court Wednesday providing live updates.

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