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// COURT WATCH · 2 MIN READ

Defense experts challenge medical evidence in Matthew Farwell trial

Defense witnesses testified on November 2 in the federal trial over Sandra Birchmore's death. Prosecutors allege the former police officer killed her and staged the scene.

THE DECODER NEWSROOM PUBLISHED 4 NOVEMBER 2026
The John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse across Boston Harbor.
The John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston, viewed from Central Wharf. File photograph, September 2024; court location.Photo: 4300streetcar / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0 · Shown cropped
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2 November 2026
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Active murder trial
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Detailed case report · Facts are attributed to the linked court, agency and reporting records. Allegations remain allegations unless a court has returned a verdict.

Defense witnesses testify

Defense experts challenged the prosecution's medical evidence on November 2 in the federal trial of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, who is accused of killing Sandra Birchmore in Massachusetts in 2021.

WPRI reported that three experts testified as the defense disputed the conclusion that Birchmore had been killed and the scene staged to resemble a suicide. Farwell's lawyers maintain that she took her own life, according to Boston 25 News. [2] [3]

Medical conclusions disputed

According to WPRI, one defense expert testified that a fracture of the hyoid bone in the neck could not, by itself, establish the manner of death.

Alicia McCarthy, a forensic science professor at Thomas College, also questioned the methods used by prosecution consultant William Smock to compare an injury with a clasp, the station reported. [2]

Federal charges

Federal prosecutors allege Farwell killed Birchmore on or about February 1, 2021, to prevent her from disclosing information about his alleged sexual abuse of her. He was arrested in August 2024 and subsequently charged with causing the death of her unborn child. The allegations are set out in a superseding indictment announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office in October 2025.

WPRI reported that Judge Denise Casper asked the parties to prepare for closing arguments on Friday, November 6. Boston 25's November 3 coverage said further defense expert testimony was expected that day. [1] [2] [3]

Sources & further reading

  1. Former Stoughton Police Officer Indicted for Allegedly Causing the Death of His Victim's Unborn Baby ↗U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts · 2025-10-28 · Primary source
  2. Matthew Farwell's attorneys challenge consultant's findings on Sandra Birchmore's death ↗WPRI, via AOL · 2026-11-03
  3. Matthew Farwell: Two more defense experts expected to take the stand ↗Boston 25 News · 2026-11-03
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