Matthew Farwell defense witness claims white women, like Sandra Birchmore, rarely murdered – Boston Herald

Matthew Farwell defense witness claims white women, like Sandra Birchmore, rarely murdered  Boston Herald

In the trial of ex-cop Matthew Farwell, a defense witness claimed white women like Sandra Birchmore are rarely homicide victims — drawing scoffs from the prosecution. Describing Sandra Birchmore as a young pregnant woman who faced lifelong adversities and suicide risks, a defense forensic psychiatrist witness for ex-cop Matthew Farwell told jurors that white females are rarely homicide victims. The statements from Melissa Piasecki, an executive associate dean and psychiatry professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, surprised prosecutor Brian A. Fogerty, who raised his eyebrows in response. Earlier in her testimony, Piasecki told Farwell’s defense attorney Kimberly Stevens that suicide is a “significant” cause of death for pregnant women, and mental health concerns represent a major problem overall.

Piasecki testified that Birchmore’s depression worsened during the first weeks of her pregnancy, adding that while Birchmore wanted to be a mother, the early stage presented stress and conflict. Fogerty, one of three assistant U.S. attorneys prosecuting Farwell for Birchmore’s death, asked whether Piasecki knew that conflict was with the defendant. The psychiatrist responded that she did. Fogerty then asked if Piasecki was aware that homicide is also a leading cause of death for pregnant women. Piasecki replied that it is a leading cause only for certain ethnic groups. After scoffing at the response, Fogerty pressed Piasecki on