A defense witness in the federal trial of former Massachusetts Police Officer Matthew Farwell testified on Friday that she thought Sandra Birchmore’s fear of losing her “relationship” with the married Stoughton detective could have pushed her to suicide.
“She had a way of thinking about this pregnancy and delivery that was building up a very detailed and colorful vision,” Dr. Melissa Piasecki explained, of a life with a Farwell, even after he became angry and violent about her pregnancy. “This would have been the final relationship she was losing.”
Piasecki did not treat Birchmore when she was alive and was flown to testify after she was hired by Farwell’s defense to review documents relating to the 23-year-old pregnant teacher’s aide’s death, along with her life. At times, her testimony was in direct contradiction with the views of Birchmore’s longtime therapist, Diala Alkhalil, who treated Birchmore for years, including an appointment on Jan. 31, 2021, the day before she died. Alkhalil testified that Birchmore was not suicidal, but was “filled with joy” at the prospect of being a new mom.
On cross-examination, Piasecki admitted she was not familiar with Birchmore’s activities – planning for her baby’s future – in the hours before Farwell arrived at her Canton home. Her phone stopped moving, according to testimony from the government’s expert witness, forensic scientist Jessica Hyde, three minutes before Farwell was videotaped leaving her building on Feb. 1, 2021.
Jurors are expected to hear from at least eight more defense witnesses next week. U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper told jurors to expect closing arguments on Friday. Both the government and the defense indicated they would like 90 minutes each for these closing arguments. The judge took that under consideration.
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