Matthew Farwell appears in court as potential jurors are questioned

Sandra Birchmore‘s alleged killer, Matthew Farwell, appeared in federal court Thursday for the third day of the jury selection process in his trial.

Farwell sat alongside his attorneys, opposite from prosecutors, as Judge Denise Casper questioned prospective jurors about their families, work, media consumption, and other factors that could indicate bias.

Farwell, a former Stoughton police detective, stands accused of killing a pregnant Birchmore in 2021 and staging the scene to appear as if it were a suicide. Prosecutors say Farwell engaged in a lengthy sexual relationship with Birchmore, which began when he was an instructor in the Stoughton Police Explorers Academy.

Farwell maintains that Birchmore killed herself.

Casper repeatedly stressed that the cause and manner of Birchmore’s death is under dispute, asking potential jurors about any personal history involving suicide. Other topics that often came up in questioning involved the prospective jurors’ relationship with mental health medication, domestic violence, and their ability to view graphic evidence, such as crime scene photos.

They were also questioned about whether or not they know police officers, criminal defense attorneys, and prosecutors. Casper said that she expects many of the witnesses to be police from Canton, Stoughton, and the State Police, telling potential jurors that they will be required to set aside any prior feelings about police.

One prospective juror said she had been following the Karen Read trial closely and criticized a State Police trooper involved in that investigation. She was later struck from the potential juror pool.

Another line of repeated questioning concerned whether potential jurors have heard about the case in the news or on social media. Birchmore’s death has generated numerous headlines and social media discussion, including in a Facebook group that has some 21,000 members. TV news crews were seen outside the court Thursday, but no prominent demonstrations.

Casper facilitated questions from both prosecutors and Farwell’s defense attorneys as they worked their way through dozens of prospective jurors. Around 400 potential jurors reported to the Moakley courthouse in Boston Tuesday and were asked to fill out questionnaires. Many were dismissed outright, while Casper and the attorneys used questionnaire answers to formulate their follow-ups on Thursday.

Sixteen total jurors will be empaneled, including four alternates. Potential jurors were told that they would have to call in to a phone line Thursday night to learn if the would have to return Friday. After Thursday’s questioning, lawyers will still have the chance to file peremptory challenges to further whittle down the prospective juror pool.

Opening statements are set to be delivered on Friday after these challenges. Court will be closed Monday for the federal holiday.

Farwell is facing two charges: killing a witness or victim and killing an unborn child.

Farwell allegedly groomed Birchmore from a young age, meeting up with her for sexual encounters while on the clock working for the town of Stoughton. She told Farwell that she wanted to have a child with him, and threatened to disclose the nature of their relationship, prosecutors say.

Birchmore became pregnant in late 2020. DNA testing has since excluded Farwell as the father of Birchmore’s child.

Birchmore was found dead in her Canton apartment in February 2021. A state investigation initially determined that her death was a suicide. But the FBI later began its own investigation, which culminated in Farwell’s 2024 indictment.