November 10, 2026: Farwell Judge Tells Deadlocked Jury to Continue Deliberating
November 10, 2026 | Sandra Birchmore / Matthew Farwell | Verified developing report
What Happened
On Tuesday, November 10, jurors returned to federal court in Boston after telling the judge on Monday that they were deadlocked. Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper instructed them to keep deliberating and to take the time they needed. The jury had already spent more than ten hours reviewing the evidence and arguments in the trial of former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell. Farwell faces federal charges involving the death of Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child. Prosecutors allege he killed Birchmore and tried to conceal alleged abuse. Farwell has pleaded not guilty, and his defense disputes the government’s account. The jurors’ note on November 9 said they had reached an impasse, but the judge had not declared a mistrial.
Why It Matters
A jury’s difficulty reaching agreement is not itself a verdict. When jurors report a deadlock, the judge must decide how to proceed without pressuring them to abandon their honest view of the evidence. The November 10 direction means deliberations continued. It does not tell us how the jury will eventually vote.
Go Deeper
Reporting from the courthouse says Judge Casper discussed the note with the lawyers before bringing the jurors back. She reminded the panel that a long trial may take time to consider. Jurors were told they could not deliberate after 6 p.m., and alternates remained available. The precise reasons for disagreement are not public. The law does not allow reporters to turn a deadlock note into a claim that either side has won.
What Happens Next
The next verified development would be a verdict, another jury note, a court instruction, or a formally declared mistrial. No verdict was verified in the sources reviewed for this update. Later reports should be dated separately rather than inserted as if they were known on Tuesday morning.
Footnotes & Sources
Follow Faces in the Footnotes
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