Farwell's defense team, attorneys Joanne Daley and Kimberly Stevens, requested a 30-day extension to file motions for a new trial and for acquittal, citing the "complex and substantial" issues they plan to raise. The motions would be due 30 days after they receive finalized trial transcripts. Prosecutors did not object to the request, the filing states.

A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Farwell, 40, of killing a witness or victim and of violating a federal law protecting unborn children. The charges stem from the Feb. 1, 2021, death of Birchmore, who was found dead in her Canton apartment. She was pregnant at the time and had told Farwell he was the father, though DNA evidence later identified a different man as the biological father.

Prosecutors argued that Farwell, who was married with children, strangled Birchmore to prevent her from revealing a sexual relationship that began when she was 15 and a participant in the Stoughton police explorers program, where Farwell volunteered. The relationship continued, including while Farwell was on duty, according to the government's case. A tipster had called the Stoughton Police Department 12 days before Birchmore's death to report an improper relationship involving Farwell.

Birchmore's death was initially ruled a suicide, but federal investigators later concluded she had been killed and that the scene had been staged to look like a suicide. Farwell's defense has maintained that Birchmore died by suicide.

Farwell resigned from the Stoughton Police Department amid an internal investigation that revealed he and two other officers had engaged in inappropriate sexual relationships with Birchmore before her death. Birchmore's family and other critics have sharply criticized the state police investigation for failing to treat Farwell as a potential suspect, even though he was captured on camera entering and leaving her apartment building around the time of her last cellphone activity.

The conviction has also renewed scrutiny of local law enforcement's handling of the case. Following the verdict, Birchmore's family called for further accountability, and criticism has mounted against Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey over the state's failure to bring charges.

Farwell remains in federal custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. His defense now has additional time to prepare its post-trial challenges.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visit www.thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.