Jurors in the federal murder trial of Matthew Farwell were presented with graphic evidence on the first day of testimony Tuesday as prosecutors introduced photographs of Sandra Birchmore’s body. Birchmore, 23, was found hanging in her bedroom in February 2021, and the prosecution alleges Farwell strangled her before staging the scene to appear as a suicide.

The images shown in the courtroom depicted Birchmore’s body suspended by a duffel bag strap attached to a door knob. The 16 jurors observed the photos silently, with some visibly reacting to the graphic nature of the evidence. Canton police officer Ensley Cotard, who discovered the body, testified that rigor mortis had already set in, indicating Birchmore was deceased when he arrived. Cotard described the death as an apparent suicide at the time.

Over the coming weeks, the jury will hear conflicting accounts regarding the circumstances of Birchmore’s death. Federal prosecutors argue that Farwell, who allegedly had a history of grooming Birchmore since she was a minor, killed her to conceal his crimes. Birchmore was reportedly between eight and ten weeks pregnant at the time of her death, and although she told friends Farwell was the father, DNA testing has since excluded him as the biological parent.

Farwell has pleaded not guilty, maintaining that Birchmore took her own life following their breakup as well as concerns about the pregnancy. His defense attorneys questioned witnesses extensively during the trial’s opening day, contesting the prosecution’s narrative.

The first prosecution witness, Stoughton Police Detective Heather Cheever, testified that she had mentored Birchmore in her youth. Cheever characterized Birchmore as consistently upbeat and good-natured. Birchmore had been involved in a youth program with the Stoughton Police Department beginning in 2010, Cheever said.

The trial will continue to unfold over the next month as witnesses from both sides present evidence surrounding the events leading up to Birchmore’s death and Farwell’s alleged involvement.