Former Stoughton Officer Farwell Found Guilty of Murdering Sandra Birchmore
Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police officer, was convicted of strangling Sandra Birchmore. Kingston Police Chief Holmes praised the verdict in a statement to 959watd.com.
Kingston Police Chief Responds to Guilty Verdict Against Ex-Officer Farwell
Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton police officer, was found guilty on Tuesday of strangling Sandra Birchmore to conceal an affair that began when she was 15 years old, 959watd.com reports.
Kingston Police Chief Holmes, who was serving as Stoughton's deputy police chief during Farwell's time in the department, issued a statement to WATD News welcoming the outcome.
"I am pleased with the verdict in the case of United States v. Matthew Farwell," Holmes wrote. "This case deposed an unspeakable tragedy, exploitation and traumatic betrayal of the public trust, the defendant's family, the men and women with whom he served, a community, and ultimately Sandra Birchmore. Matthew Farwell violated the laws of human decency and the jury spoke to that."
Holmes played a central role in bringing the case to federal attention. He led an internal affairs investigation into Farwell based on a tip the department received prior to Birchmore's death, and later urged the FBI to review the circumstances of her death. The FBI opened its investigation in 2023.
"At the onset of this administrative investigation which lasted nineteen months, there was an overwhelming amount of information to review," Holmes said. "Completion of this case would not have been possible without the assistance of outside resources and law enforcement partners."
Holmes also expressed hope for those affected by the case. "In the absence of a stronger voice for Sandra Birchmore, the offices of the United States Attorney and the FBI became her voice. I pray for the healing of all the people that this case affected in any way."
The chief extended thanks to U.S. Attorney Leah Foley and her team of prosecutors, Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks and his investigators — specifically SA Heidi Kelsch — as well as Paul L'Italien and the jury for their service on what Holmes described as "this arduous and complex case."
"Finally, I thank those who came forward in the name of justice," Holmes concluded.
Source: Google News JM — Kingston