Psychiatrist testifies Birchmore risked suicide
The defense argued that Sandra Birchmore had a lifelong history of factors increasing her self-harm risk, countering the prosecution's claim that Matthew Farwell staged her death.
By Kendra Wilson ·
Dr. Melissa Piasecki told jurors on Friday that Sandra Birchmore faced a lifetime of factors that elevated her suicide risk. The forensic psychiatrist testified that these factors ranged from Birchmore being born premature to the deaths of her mother and grandmother. Piasecki also cited risky behaviors, specifically noting that Birchmore engaged in choking during consensual sex. The expert described the loss of her children as a catastrophic event that would have overwhelmed Birchmore.
Matthew Farwell’s defense team called Piasecki to support their theory that Birchmore killed herself after Farwell ended their relationship. The defense asserts that Farwell wanted no part of the unborn child Birchmore claimed he fathered. Piasecki pointed to diary entries from 2017 where Birchmore discussed methods for ending her life. She noted that Birchmore weighed the pros and cons of suicide. Piasecki stated, “Once somebody thinks suicide is an option for them, they’ve opened a door. They will always be open to suicidal behavior.”
Prosecutors allege that Farwell killed the 23-year-old Birchmore and her unborn child to prevent her from exposing federal crimes. Those crimes include the sexual exploitation of a child. The state claims Farwell groomed Birchmore for sex starting when she was 15 years old. At that time, she was part of the Stoughton Police Explorers mentoring program. The prosecution maintains that Farwell staged the scene to mimic a suicide.
During cross-examination, federal prosecutors questioned Piasecki’s assessment. They argued that the expert focused too little on Birchmore’s excitement and planning regarding her pregnancy in her final days. A prosecutor asked if the conflict over the pregnancy was specifically with Farwell. Piasecki answered, “Yes.” The prosecutor then asked if Piasecki was testifying that people at risk for suicide cannot be murdered. The defense objected, and the judge did not allow the question to proceed.
The defense has approximately three more days of witnesses scheduled to testify. The judge expects jury deliberations to begin next Friday.
Source: WHDH
