District Attorney-elect Djuna Perkins, who takes office January 6, 2027, said the probe will focus on "potential other victims of the youth explorers program and other adults who may have criminal responsibility either for what happened to Sandra Birchmore or any other victim."

A federal jury returned a double guilty verdict against Farwell, who now faces an automatic life sentence. Minutes before the verdict was announced, Perkins said she had been prepared to pursue a first-degree murder charge against Farwell in state court if he had been acquitted, acknowledging his defense would likely have argued that a second trial amounted to double jeopardy.

"I think it's the least Norfolk County can do to make up for our failure to do it the first time," Perkins said.

After the verdict, Perkins voiced both relief and frustration that her predecessor, District Attorney Michael Morrissey, did not bring murder charges against Farwell initially.

"This is an incredible outcome. I've always believed that Sandra Birchmore was murdered and that was the reason that I decided to run for District Attorney," she said. "I was incredibly disappointed that her own community did not seek justice for her because that is where this crime occurred, here in Norfolk County. On the other hand, I'm thrilled for her family."

Perkins inherits an office roiled by controversy, including two trials involving Karen Read and the vulgar text messages sent by disgraced State Police Trooper Michael Proctor. She said she plans to review every case investigated by Proctor after court filings revealed years of alleged racist, homophobic and otherwise disturbing messages from the former state police investigator.

She also intends to discuss with the Massachusetts State Police colonel the selection of troopers assigned to her office's state police unit, aiming for a more diverse roster.

"I'd like a more diverse unit, I'd like to see more women, I'd like to see more people of color," Perkins said.

On prevention, Perkins outlined plans to expand domestic violence programming for young people and to pair mental health clinicians with police officers. She noted that Norfolk County, despite having few murders overall, has recorded roughly 10 domestic violence homicides in the past six years.

"We are in a county that hardly has any murders at all and yet, this is what we have. I think we have a problem and we need to do a lot better to address it," she said.

Perkins cautioned that accountability will take time, telling WBZ she must balance the public's demand for swift action with the deliberate work of building evidence.

"Do you want it fast or do you want it good?" she said. "I think you want it good."