The man identified as the father of Sandra Birchmore’s unborn baby took the stand in the federal trial of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell.
Jason Pickard testified about his relationship with Birchmore and what she told him about the baby’s father. The prosecution also questioned Pickard about whether Birchmore ever told him she was contemplating suicide.
Unborn baby took the stand in the trial of Matthew Farwell today.
Boston 25 News reporter Ryan Breslin,
live outside the federal courthouse.
Ryan, this witness today only willing to testify under one condition.
Carrie, that's right. Jason Pickard testified under a grant of immunity
so that none of his testimony could
be used against him in federal proceedings.
Jason Pickard leaves the federal courthouse Thursday after testifying
in the trial of Matthew Farwell.
Pickard telling jurors he met Sandra Birchmore in December 2019
while he was an army recruiter in Quincy.
That's when their sexual relationship began.
Pickard describing her as outgoing, sweet, direct.
She always knew what she wanted.
She didn't beat around that bush.
Pickard was married at the time.
Because of that and his position when they met,
Pickard only agreed to testify with immunity.
As he says, the Uniform Code
of Military Justice makes it a crime to commit adultery
and for a recruiter to sleep with a recruit.
Pickard testifying that Birchmore told him Matthew Farwell took
her virginity when she was a minor.
Quote, I encouraged her to report the event,
but she ultimately refused, said Pickard.
When Birchmore told him she was pregnant,
he was concerned it was his child,
and says he asked her several times, quote,
nope, we weren't in my fertile period,
Birchmore told Pickard.
He said she indicated that Matt was the father.
Pickard says Birchmore never told him he was the father
and never expressed concern that Farwell was not.
The FBI getting Pickard's DNA sample in June of last year,
he says it was just about a year ago
that he learned he was the baby's father.
Pickard also sharing with the defense he
knew about Birchmore's mental health,
a previous suicide attempt, and that she was on antidepressants.
The prosecution asking,
did she ever tell you she was contemplating suicide?
No, ma'am, Pickard said.
Another witness taking the stand today says
that she went to Canton police and state police after
Birchmore died to share information about Matthew Farwell.
Three women also testifying to having
affairs with Matthew Farwell.
They also, he never wore disguises when he met with them.
For now, we're live in Boston.
Ryan Breslin for your local station, Boston 25 News.
