NewsLos Angeles MagazineOctober 27, 2026Los Angeles County
William Farwell Testifies in Federal Court About Twin Brother’s Alleged Relationship with Sandra Birchmore
Photo: Los Angeles Magazine
Disgraced former Stoughton police officer William Farwell testified in federal court that Sandra Birchmore stated his twin brother, Matthew Farwell, had a sexual relationship with her when she was underage. The testimony emerged during the murder trial of Matthew Farwell, who is accused of killing Birchmore and her unborn baby. William Farwell testified under a grant of federal immunity after admitting to his own sexual relationship with Birchmore.
Read the full story at Los Angeles MagazineWhy It Matters
The federal court testimony provides key evidence regarding allegations of grooming and that intersect with a capital murder trial involving former law enforcement officers.
Key Facts
- William 'Billy' Farwell testified for the second time in two days in Boston’s federal court against his twin brother, Matthew Farwell.
- Matthew Farwell is on trial for the murder of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn baby.
- William Farwell was granted federal immunity after admitting to the FBI that he had a sexual relationship with Birchmore starting in 2018 when she was an adult and he was an on-duty police officer.
- The Farwell brothers originally met Birchmore when she was a 13-year-old recruit in the Stoughton Police Explorer’s Program.
- William Farwell testified that Sandra Birchmore told him via text message that Matthew Farwell had sex with her when she was 15 years old.
- Text messages recovered from Birchmore's devices included an exchange where Matthew Farwell stated he considered having sex with her when she was 14.
- William Farwell testified that in May 2019, Birchmore texted him confirming that Matthew Farwell first had sex with her at his house when she was 15.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationStoughton Police Department“Former employer of the Farwell brothers”locationBoston“Location of the federal court where the trial is taking place”locationMassachusetts“State jurisdiction where the statutory rape allegations apply”PersonSandra Birchmore“Victim whose murder is the subject of the trial”PersonWilliam Farwell“Disgraced ex-Stoughton cop testifying against his twin brother”PersonMatthew Farwell“Twin brother on trial for the murder of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn baby”OrganizationStoughton Police Explorer’s Program“Program where the Farwell brothers met Birchmore as a youth recruit”OrganizationFBI“Federal agency that received statements from Billy Farwell”