Sandra Birchmore's Ex-Boyfriend Testifies About Past Suicide Threats In Matthew Farwell Trial: Reports

STOUGHTON, MA — The federal trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell continued with more witnesses on Thursday.

Three people took the stand Thursday, marking the 13th day of testimony. They were Birchmore’s former boyfriend William Kilroy, Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mindy Hull and medical examiner assistant Caitlin Bulger, according to CBS Boston

Farwell, 40, is charged with killing Birchmore and causing the death of her unborn child. Prosecutors allege he strangled the pregnant 23-year-old in her Canton apartment in 2021 to prevent her from disclosing their relationship, which they say began when she was 15. Farwell has pleaded not guilty and maintains Birchmore died by suicide.

Prosecutors say Farwell killed the 23-year-old to prevent her from disclosing that he had groomed and sexually abused her beginning when she was 15, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The first set of witnesses took the stand Tuesday after a jury of 16 was finalized last week.

Farwell faces federal charges of killing a witness or victim and causing the death of a child in utero, according to a superseding indictment. Prosecutors claim Farwell strangled Birchmore in her apartment on Feb. 1, 2021, then staged the scene to appear as though she died by suicide.

Farwell’s defense acknowledges that he had an affair with Birchmore but maintains that he did not kill her.

More From Day 12 Of Testimony: Prosecution Rests After 38 Witnesses In Trial Of Ex-MA Cop Accused Of Killing Pregnant Woman

13th Day Of Testimony

Kilroy, who was Birchmore's former boyfriend, testified that Birchmore discussed suicide during their relationship and threatened to kill herself after their breakup. However, he said he never believed she would take her own life and that she never attempted to harm herself while he knew her, according to The Boston Globe.

Dr. Hull, the state's Chief Medical Examiner, testified briefly about the medical examiner’s office, which initially ruled Birchmore’s death a suicide before changing the manner of death to undetermined earlier this year, the Globe reported.

Bulger, a medical examiner assistant, testified that she helped retrieve Birchmore’s body from her Canton apartment. She said she believed the strap was slid off the doorknob before Birchmore was placed in a body bag, but she could not recall exactly how the body was handled, CBS Boston reported.

The trial is expected to last about five weeks. Farwell would face life in federal prison if convicted.

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