Less than a month after the Lindsay Clancy trial concluded, another disturbing Massachusetts trial is moving into center stage this week. As WBUR's Patrick Madden reports, jury selection begins today in Boston in the federal trial of Matthew Farwell for allegedly killing Sandra Birchmore. Here's what to know about the case: In court: Farwell, a former Stoughton police detective, is accused of killing 23-year-old Birchmore and her unborn child in 2021. Her death was initially ruled a suicide by the state's medical examiner. But 18 months later, an internal investigation by Stoughton police found that Farwell, his twin brother and another officer were having "inappropriate" relations with Birchmore after meeting her through the department's youth program. (Several of Birchmore's friends told The Boston Globe that Farwell began having sex with her when she was 15 and he was 27.) A year later, the FBI began investigating. And in 2024, Farwell was formally charged with killing Birchmore. - The allegations: Prosecutors say Farwell, now 40, strangled Birchmore in her Canton apartment on Feb. 1, 2021 during a snowstorm. Their court filings say surveillance video shows Farwell entering the apartment that night wearing a hoodie and a face mask (even though he reportedly otherwise resisted masking during the pandemic) and leaving 29 minutes later. Birchmore was found dead on Feb. 4. Prosecutors say she was found in the same clothes she was wearing on Feb. 1, and that the last movement on her phone was recorded three minutes before Farwell left the apartment. Investigators say they believe Farwell staged the apartment to make it look like a suicide.
- The alleged motive: According to investigators, Birchmore appeared to be excited she was pregnant and was pressing Farwell — who was separately married with kids — about his level of involvement with the child. (Both he and Birchmore believed he was the father, though later DNA testing showed he was not.) Around the same time, prosecutors say one of Birchmore's friends tipped off the police department about their relationship, which "pissed off" Farwell. They argue Farwell killed Birchmore to keep the relationship hidden.
- The defense: Farwell has pleaded not guilty, and has maintained that Birchmore took her own life. His defense team argues that Birchmore, who had been prescribed antidepressants, had a history of self-harm.
- Why is the trial happening in Boston? Murders are usually prosecuted by local district attorneys. But in this case, Farwell faces federal charges: killing Birchmore to keep her from reporting a federal crime (such as sexual abuse of a minor) and causing the death of an unborn child. MassLive has more here on the unique nature of the trial.
- What to expect: After jury selection, opening statements could begin as early as Friday. The trial is expected to take about one month.
In other news: On Beacon Hill: As state lawmakers work to reach an energy affordability compromise, Gov. Maura Healey is taking unilateral action to to lower heating and electric bills in Massachusetts this winter. Declaring a "state of energy emergency," Healey rolled out a series of executive orders yesterday, including moves to expand heating assistance and remove certain fees from people's bills. State House News Service has the details here. A few highlights: - More money...: Currently, households earning up to 60% of the state median income ($103,049 for a family of four) are eligible for the state's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Healey's administration is increasing the amount of money they can get this winter from $870 to $1,450 for oil or propane and from $600 to $1,000 for gas or electric heat.
- ...to more people: The state is also making a new category of residents eligible for heating oil assistance: Those making up to 100% of the state's median income, or up to $171,749 for a family of four. Healey's office estimates the new perk will give 50,000 households up to $680 in one-time help.
- Fewer fees: Healey's office also said it will pause the SMART program charge on residential electric bills for three months and phase out the Alternative Portfolio Standard charge, cutting it by 50% this winter.
Delivery delayed: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is threatening to sue over the U.S. Postal Service's proposal to permanently shutter the only post office in Allston. USPS had said for years that it would reopen the Harvard Avenue location as part of a mixed-use development, after it was closed for renovations in 2019. However, the federal agency abruptly backed out of the plan in April and now says it may not reopen the branch at all. As WBUR's Eve Zuckoff reports, Wu and other local political leaders say that would leave the neighborhood critically underserved. "All 87,000 residents of Allston-Brighton will be served by only one post office in Brighton," said City Councilor Liz Breadon. "That's wrong. Newton, which is about the same population, has 10 post offices." - What's next: A USPS spokesperson told WBUR they are taking public feedback through the end of the week before making a final decision.
P.S.— You can still get tickets to tonight's CitySpace book talk with Smithsonian scholar Richard Kurin about the groundbreaking research into the mystery of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Kurin will talk about its revelations with Harvard professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annette Gordon-Reed. |
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