Massachusetts Recall

We were discussing the new evidence in the federal prosecution of Matthew Farwell for the death of Sandra Birchmore in our morning meeting. According to Feds: -DNA matching Matthew Farwell was found on the duffle bag strap that was used to strangle Birchmore. -Farwell’s DNA was found in Birchmore's clothing. That suggests physical contact occurred after the time Farwell claimed it had ended. *In September 2024, I reported that the Feds had a meeting with the Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiner prior to indicting Farwell. The Feds alerted the ME that their findings contradicted the ME’s determination of suicide. The ME wouldn’t budge and Birchmore’s death certificate still has “asphyxia by hanging”

New federal filings in the death of Sandra Birchmore are exposing deeply troubling issues in how the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office handled her case, and this is unfolding as Greg Connor, who has served as Chief Trial Counsel under Michael Morrissey, is now running to lead that same office. According to those filings, critical forensic evidence existed at the time her death was ruled a suicide, including DNA on the ligature and biological evidence that went untested. Evidence of that nature goes directly to cause and manner of death, yet it was not pursued before a suicide determination was made. That raises serious questions about how the case was evaluated, what decisions were made, and how such significant evidence was not acted on. Connor has spent nearly a decade as Chief Trial Counsel, a position at the top of the courtroom side of the office. That role involves leading major felony prosecutions, advising on complex and high risk cases, and serving as a senior authority prosecutors rely on when critical decisions are being made. It places you squarely within the leadership structure while cases like this are being handled and reviewed. At the same time, Connor was included in internal 2024 email exchanges regarding Michael Proctor’s first phone extraction, communications that later revealed credibility issues involving a key investigator in another major case. Inclusion in those exchanges reflects visibility into internal matters that go directly to the integrity of investigations coming through the office. Taken together, this reflects a senior trial leader inside the Norfolk DA’s Office during a case where highly significant forensic evidence was not tested before a suicide ruling, while also being looped into internal communications tied to investigator credibility concerns in a separate high profile matter. That combination places leadership directly within the timeline of both issues. This is not about one isolated case. This is about how decisions were made, how evidence was handled, and how leadership operated during moments that are now under serious scrutiny. Seemingly, as Morrissey’s right hand man in the office, Connor has a lot to explain.. but regardless, that type of leadership is not one that should be running a county’s prosecutorial system.