Sandra Birchmore: How the Forensic Evidence Contradicts the Original Ruling

Sandra Birchmore's death was classified as something other than homicide by the state medical examiner — a determination that still stands despite a federal indictment charging former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell with killing her and causing the death of her unborn son. That contradiction between the state finding and the federal prosecution is the fault line this case will be fought on. And the forensic evidence prosecutors have assembled since Farwell's arrest directly challenges the original conclusion.

Farwell's DNA was identified as the major contributor on the duffel bag strap prosecutors say was used to strangle Sandra. His sperm cells were found in her underwear — contradicting his stated claim that he had not been intimate with her in months. Sandra's right clavicle showed an injury sustained while she was alive, consistent with the position of a buckle found behind her head. Prosecutors argue that injury proves Sandra could not have died in the position in which she was found — that the scene was staged. Her phone recorded its final movements while Farwell was inside the apartment during a twenty-nine-minute window on the evening of February 1, 2021. She was found three days later wearing the same clothes.

The defense has challenged the DNA evidence, noting the duffel bag strap contained a complex mixture from at least four contributors and the underwear showed multiple contributors as well. Farwell's defense asserts Sandra took her own life and has filed a sealed motion to suppress evidence, with a hearing scheduled.

The prosecution's premeditation case is built around three alleged statements Farwell made to separate individuals in the weeks before Sandra's death — that he would "take care of the problem himself," that he needed to "put crazy back in the bag," and that "the problem was going to take care of itself." Those conversations, prosecutors allege, followed a January 20 call to the Stoughton Police Department from Sandra's friend reporting Farwell's relationship with her. A department employee told Farwell about the call.

Sandra had contacted lawyers. Prosecutors say she was developing a child-support plan and was prepared to disclose that Farwell had been involved with her since she was fifteen — when she was enrolled in the department's Police Explorers program and he was an instructor. Farwell was married with a pregnant wife. DNA testing later confirmed he was not the biological father of Sandra's unborn son, but prosecutors say both believed he was.

At a private gathering after Sandra's death, Farwell reportedly reenacted how she supposedly died while intoxicated, describing details not publicly available. Prosecutors allege he possessed that knowledge because he staged the scene.

Farwell is charged with killing a witness and causing the death of an unborn child. He has pled not guilty and is held at a Rhode Island detention facility.

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