A federal jury in Boston told Chief U.S. District Judge Denise Casper on Monday that it was deadlocked in the murder trial of former Stoughton, Massachusetts, police officer Matthew Farwell, then was sent home until Tuesday^2,3,4.

Jurors had deliberated about 10 and a half hours after Friday closing arguments when they reported they could not agree on whether Farwell is responsible for the 2021 death of 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore^3,4.

Boston.com reported that jurors first asked about scheduling for the rest of the afternoon, then sent a second note Casper read in court: they were in a deadlock that looks like it will not change anytime soon³. The Globe reported the same sequence and wording⁴.

Casper dismissed the jurors just before 4:30 p.m. and asked them to return Tuesday⁴. She told lawyers she did not think deliberations had been so long, given the evidence^3,4.

Farwell faces two federal counts: killing a witness or victim, and causing the death of a child in utero^3,5. He faces life in prison if convicted^3,4.

Prosecutors say Farwell, then a Stoughton detective, sexually exploited Birchmore when she was underage, later killed her on Feb. 1, 2021, and staged her Canton apartment to look like a suicide^3,4,5. The defense argues Birchmore died by suicide, citing mental-health history, a previous suicide attempt, and competing medical testimony⁴.

Boston.com said Farwell's lawyers indicated they will ask Casper for specific instructions Tuesday; she had been inclined to resume without further instruction³. The Globe said that if deadlock continues she could later give additional instructions, and that a mistrial would leave prosecutors to decide on a retrial⁴.

The Globe reported that prosecutors questioned whether the notes meant a deep split or only that extra time Monday would not help⁴. Outside court, Birchmore's cousin Barbara Wright said, "We're not giving up until we get justice," pointing to weeks of testimony and hundreds of exhibits⁴.