Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Murder Charges Against Former Massachusetts Police Officer

A federal judge in Boston refused to dismiss charges against a former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer accused of killing 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child in early 2021.

On March 9, Chief U.S. District Judge Denise Casper said that Matthew Farwell’s attorneys did not show that the superseding indictment failed to state an offense or lacked specific allegations.

The judge said an indictment satisfies these requirements if it outlines the elements of the crime and the nature of the charge.

This enables the defendant to prepare a defense and plead double jeopardy in any future prosecution for the same offense, Casper said in the ruling.

Farwell’s jury trial is set for Oct. 5 and is expected to last four weeks.

He faces two federal charges, including one involving the death of an unborn child after the killing of a victim or witness.

A medical examiner initially ruled her death a suicide.

On Aug. 27, 2024, a grand jury indicted Farwell on charges of strangling Birchmore.

Later, on Oct. 28, 2025, a two-count superseding indictment alleged that Farwell killed Birchmore, who was eight weeks pregnant, and that his conduct caused the death of her unborn son.

Farwell worked as a patrolman for the Stoughton Police Department on Boston’s South Shore from March 2012 until April 1, 2022.

He also taught at the department’s Explorer Academy, a program that helps young people explore careers in law enforcement.

Alleged Affair

The superseding indictment states that in March 2010, Birchmore joined the program as a minor and had a sexual relationship with Farwell that continued until early 2021.

According to the indictment, Farwell allegedly failed to report his relationship with Birchmore and tried to conceal it from authorities.

The indictment alleges that in December 2020, Birchmore learned she was pregnant and told the defendant he was the child’s father.

In January 2021, a friend of Birchmore reportedly called the Stoughton police and told an employee about the defendant’s relationship with Birchmore.

The employee then told Farwell about the call.

On Feb. 1, 2021, authorities say Farwell allegedly entered Birchmore’s apartment, strangled her, and staged the scene to look like a suicide.

Farwell initially faced the death penalty in federal court.

On Dec. 9, 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told federal prosecutors not to pursue the death penalty, according to court records.

The Epoch Times emailed the Office of the Attorney General for comment, but did not receive a response by publication time.

Farwell’s attorneys, Joanne Daley and Kimberly Stevens, did not reply to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.

Steven Murullo, who represents Birchmore’s family, did not return a phone call requesting comment.

If found guilty, Farwell could be sentenced to life in prison.