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Twin of former Stoughton officer describes calls and texts involving Sandra Birchmore
William “Billy” Farwell testified Tuesday about his sexual relationship with Sandra Birchmore, conversations with his twin brother after Birchmore said she was pregnant, and a meeting with state investigators. His testimony came in the federal murder trial of Matthew Farwell, who is accused of killing Birchmore in 2021 and staging her death as a suicide.
William Farwell, the twin brother of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell, returned to the witness stand Tuesday in his brother’s federal murder trial, describing his own sexual relationship with Sandra Birchmore and conversations that followed news of her pregnancy.
William Farwell, who said he goes by Billy, testified that he had sex with Birchmore on several occasions, including in his patrol car. During cross-examination, he discussed a January 2021 text in which he asked Birchmore, “want some?” He said he was referring to sex. He also testified that he once drove to her apartment after drinking but could not recall what happened there.
Prosecutors allege Matthew Farwell strangled Birchmore at her Canton apartment in early 2021 after she told him she was pregnant and that he was the father, then staged her death as a suicide. DNA testing later showed Matthew Farwell was not the father of the unborn child. He has pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution has also alleged that Matthew Farwell used his position as a police Explorers volunteer to groom and sexually abuse Birchmore, beginning when she was 15, and continued having sex with her as an adult.
William Farwell testified that he and his brother never discussed either man’s sexual relationship with Birchmore. He recalled a May 2019 message from Birchmore saying that “when he found out I loved you,” she and Matthew had a major fight. William said the “he” referred to his brother. Text messages shown in court appeared to indicate William learned that Matthew had also been having sex with Birchmore.
He also described meeting Matthew at a bar after learning of the pregnancy. Matthew told him he had a problem and needed help, William testified, but other police officers arrived and the conversation ended. The brothers did not return to the subject, he said. William testified that in a separate conversation Matthew told him he had discarded his phones and deleted their data. William joked, “Did you Tom Brady that [expletive]?”
William Farwell also recounted a meeting with state police investigators, including a trooper identified as Fanning. He said Fanning told him there were no suspects and that he was not a suspect, and that the investigator would leave him out of the matter. William said he felt upset and exposed afterward and called Matthew, who reassured him.
William Farwell has immunity to testify in the case. On Tuesday, he said he had not engaged in choking sexual behavior with Birchmore and had never seen or handled the ligature prosecutors allege was used to strangle her. Asked whether he was upset with Matthew because of the investigation, he said he was not.
Opening statements in the trial began Oct. 9. Prosecutors have said they could rest their case this week. The federal proceeding is being held without courtroom video.