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Day 13 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
A digital forensics expert testified that Sandra Birchmore's phone recorded its final movements around 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2021.
Three minutes later, surveillance footage shows Farwell leaving her apartment building.
🎥What jurors heard today, in 78 seconds.
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⚖️ Matthew Farwell trial - Day 13
Prosecutors could rest their case today, with a digital forensics expert and an FBI special agent expected on the stand.
After that, it’s the defense’s turn to make their case.
I'll be in court covering today’s proceedings. Follow along 🧵
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🎥📰 My video recap and full story on digital forensics expert Jessica Hyde’s testimony:
Day 13 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
A digital forensics expert testified that Sandra Birchmore's phone recorded its final movements around 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2021.
Three minutes later, surveillance footage shows Farwell leaving her apartment building.
🎥What jurors heard today, in 78 seconds.
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Day 13 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
A digital forensics expert testified that Sandra Birchmore's phone recorded its final movements around 9:40 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2021.
Three minutes later, surveillance footage shows Farwell leaving her apartment building.
🎥What jurors heard today, in 78 seconds.
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372
My full story on Jessica Hyde's testimony for @enterprisenews:
enterprisenews.com/story/new…
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Up next for the defense:
• William Kilroy, who dated Sandra Birchmore for a little over a year. They broke up about three years before her death.
• Dr. Mindy Hull, the state's chief medical examiner
• Caitlyn Bulger, an assistant in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
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The jury was excused early today, at around 12:30 p.m. Testimony resumes tomorrow.
Stay tuned for my full recap of what happened inside the courthouse…
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Joseph Harris’ testimony ended at 12:32 p.m.
According to a report he submitted in 2017, Sandra told him she had tried to kill herself over the weekend after he told her he could not guarantee her work hours for the following spring.
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⏱️ Prosecutors have rested their case.
First up for the defense: Joseph Harris, vice president of student services at Massasoit Community College. In 2017, he was an academic coordinator there, and became Sandra’s direct supervisor while she worked as a peer tutor.
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Beyond key insight into the electronic timeline during Sandra's final moments, Hyde also addressed the searches Farwell's defense has pointed to as proof of her suicide: “Purple ribbon meaning” and “What color is the suicide ribbon."
She testified "suicide ribbon" was a browser suggestion, NOT a search Sandra typed herself. The electronic data also shows she viewed a purple suicide ribbon on Facebook prior to making that first search, according to her testimony.
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Digital forensics expert Jessica Hyde walked jurors through a timeline of Sandra Birchmore’s iPhone activity on Feb. 1, 2021. Full timeline coming shortly..
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After maybe a minute on the stand, in which she answered a question about typical investigatory steps in a death investigation, Kelsch was excused.
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Also expected back: FBI Special Agent Heidi Kelsch, who testified over several days last week, is being recalled by prosecutors.
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Expected today: Jessica Hyde, a digital forensics specialist for the government, who reviewed data from Sandra Birchmore's Apple Watch and MacBook Air.
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Day 12 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
William Farwell's testimony added to questions about how State Police handled the early investigation into Sandra Birchmore's death.
He testified then-Sgt. John Fanning told him there were "no suspects," that they needed the case "closed out" and, "I need this like I need a bullet to the head” — all just one week into the investigation. ⬇️
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In less than half an hour on the stand yesterday, Matthew Farwell's twin brother, William Farwell, admitted under a grant of immunity that he had a sexual relationship with Sandra Birchmore beginning in 2018 — including while on duty as a Stoughton police officer.
He's back in federal court this morning to finish testifying. Monday recap below and live thread to follow 🎥🧵
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Also today: a prosecution expert testified Birchmore died by homicide. That's day 12. Back in court tomorrow.
Day 12 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
“This was a homicide.”
The medical examiner originally ruled Sandra Birchmore’s 2021 death a suicide. Dr. William Smock, a prosecution expert who testified today, reached a very different conclusion. ⬇️
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Day 12 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
“This was a homicide.”
The medical examiner originally ruled Sandra Birchmore’s 2021 death a suicide. Dr. William Smock, a prosecution expert who testified today, reached a very different conclusion. ⬇️
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Full story: enterprisenews.com/story/new…
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More on what William Farwell told jurors today about the State Police investigation:
Day 12 | Matthew Farwell trial recap
William Farwell's testimony added to questions about how State Police handled the early investigation into Sandra Birchmore's death.
He testified then-Sgt. John Fanning told him there were "no suspects," that they needed the case "closed out" and, "I need this like I need a bullet to the head” — all just one week into the investigation. ⬇️
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My video recap of William Farwell's testimony today. 🎥
🚨 WILLIAM FARWELL TESTIMONY - Day 12 of the Matthew Farwell trial 🚨
According to 2019 messages shown to the jury, Sandra Birchmore told William Farwell, then a Stoughton police officer, that she began a sexual relationship with his twin brother when she was just 15 — a crime under Massachusetts state law.
He testified that he never reported it, because he didn’t believe Sandra.
My recap 🎥⬇️
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