Pickard’s testimony would be the first time he has publicly told his account of his connection to Birchmore, according to the information available ahead of Thursday’s court session. Birchmore’s texts and conversations indicate she appeared to believe Farwell was the baby’s father.

Farwell is accused of killing Birchmore, who was pregnant, at her Canton apartment in February 2021 and making her death appear to be a suicide. Prosecutors allege he killed her to keep her from disclosing their relationship and other possible crimes. Farwell’s defense argues Birchmore died by suicide after he ended their relationship.

Prosecutors say the relationship began when Birchmore was 15 and Farwell was 27. The case has also drawn attention to the Stoughton police youth program where Birchmore met Farwell and two other officers who have been alleged to have had inappropriate relationships with her.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Stoughton police Detective Sandra Barrett testified that Farwell seemed agitated and stressed in the days before Birchmore’s death, sending frequent texts and taking private calls at work. Barrett said she confronted him, and he told her he was having trouble with a woman who was not his wife and believed the problem would take care of itself.

Birchmore’s former hairdresser, Shauna McGrath, also testified Wednesday that Birchmore had been making plans for the future, a point that conflicts with the defense’s account. McGrath said she contacted the Norfolk district attorney’s office after Birchmore’s death to report that Birchmore had been involved with a Stoughton police officer; what happened with that information was not clear from her testimony.