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William Farwell took the stand in his twin brother’s federal murder trial and answered a question the Stoughton Police Department cannot simply wave away. Asked whether he had sexual contact with Sandra Birchmore while on duty, William said, “I did.” He was testifying under immunity. His brother Matthew is the defendant, and the charges against Matthew remain contested.
Sandra met officers through the Stoughton Police Explorers youth program when she was around thirteen. Federal prosecutors allege Matthew Farwell used that relationship to groom her while she was a minor, and later killed her in February 2021 to conceal his conduct. Matthew has pleaded not guilty, and the defense argues Sandra died by suicide. The jury has to decide that criminal accusation on the evidence presented at trial.
But William’s October 26 testimony adds another layer. He said he and Sandra began their relationship in 2018, when she was an adult, and confirmed that some contact happened while he was working. A Stoughton internal investigation previously identified inappropriate relationships involving three officers, including William and former deputy chief Robert Devine. The civil allegations have raised lasting questions about supervision, access, and police culture.
I’m joined by defense attorney Bob Motta and former FBI agent Robin Dreeke for a careful look at what immunity does and does not mean, and whether this testimony advances the government’s case against Matthew or hands the defense another person to scrutinize. We also look beyond a single witness: what controls should exist when adult officers mentor teenagers, and what accountability remains outside a single murder verdict? There are two distinct questions here, and neither should be swallowed by the other.
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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.
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