jury convicts former massachusetts officer of killing woman and unborn child

A jury in federal court in South Boston found former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer Matthew Farwell guilty of killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child, CBS News reported.

Farwell was charged with killing a witness or victim and causing the death of an unborn child. He had pleaded not guilty, and the jury had initially been deadlocked.

Prosecutors argued that Farwell killed Birchmore to prevent her from reporting his crimes to federal authorities. They said Farwell began a sexual relationship with Birchmore when she was 15, after meeting her as a 13-year-old cadet in the police youth explorers program.

Birchmore, 23, was found dead in her apartment in February 2021 with a strap around her neck. Her death was first ruled a suicide, but after Farwell's arrest, the medical examiner changed the manner of death to undetermined.

The defense claimed Birchmore had mental health issues and killed herself after Farwell ended their relationship and denied paternity of her unborn child.

Farwell faces a mandatory life sentence without parole. The Department of Justice chose not to seek the death penalty.

Jurors heard testimony from 50 witnesses over four weeks before reaching the verdict.