BOSTON —

Federal prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty in the case of a former Massachusetts police officer accused of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, the Department of Justice told a court on Tuesday.

Matthew Farwell, 39, formerly a member of the Stoughton Police Department, was originally indicted in August 2024 in the death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore. Her body was found on Feb. 4, 2021, in her apartment in Canton. She was three months pregnant.

Last month , after being indicted in connection with the loss of the unborn child, Farwell waived his court appearance and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

According to court documents, while Birchmore's death was initially ruled a suicide, a federal investigation examined old evidence and revealed cri

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