Matthew Farwell trial: Deliberations continue after jury reports deadlock

Well, jurors in the Matthew Farwell trial will be back at federal court today to try to reach a verdict in the case. Yesterday, those jurors told the judge they were deadlocked. Boston 25 News reporter Ryan Breslin on scene in Boston with how the judge responded. The judge did not specifically address the juror's note to them. Instead, she simply told them that they would return today for further proceedings. Jurors have now spent about ten and a half hours in that deliberation room. This is the note that they sent to the judge. It said, quote, We are in a deadlock that looks like will not change anytime soon. The judge brought jurors back in the room and told them that they will return today for further proceedings. She told counsel that she's inclined to just have jurors return to deliberations and see what the day brings rather than give them any further instructions yet. In this case, Matthew Farwell is accused of killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn baby and staging the death to look like a suicide. But Farwell's defense is that he went to Birchmore's apartment to end their relationship, and she took her own life. We spoke with close friends and family of Sandra Birchmore after learning the jury was deadlocked. It's tough. There's a lot of evidence for them to go through. But you go from Friday, we just need a little bit more time, to today, we did the whole day, and then you hear deadlock. It's like, what? What do you do with that? I'm not ready to give up hope. Not at all. And if not now, later. We're not giving up until we get justice for Sandra. It doesn't matter how we have to do it. What did you say it felt like? Getting hit in the face with a brick, really, it was quite stunning. But, you know, there's more time. Jurors also sent another note yesterday asking about the scheduling and how late they would be able to stay if they were close to reaching a verdict. That answer is 6 o'clock because that's when the building closes. Eight men and four women make up the jury of 12. On scene in Boston, Ryan Breslin for your local station, Boston 25 News. Make sure you have the Boston 25 mobile app once there is a verdict. Or a mistrial declared in this case, you'll get an alert right on your phone.