Justice For Sandra Birchmore, Stoughton, Massachusetts | Part One with advocate, Susanne Cleveland

Crime of the Truest Kind

Episode 69 | Justice For Sandra Birchmore (part one)
Subjects include sexual abuse, miscarriage, coercive control, self harm, suicide, homicide, police misconduct and WAP by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
Sometimes I swear. Listen with care.

*Episode updated to reflect additional information provided by Sandra's family members

Sandra's case has been languishing for over 3 years (minus a decade of abuse).
In August 2024, Matthew Farwell, a former Stoughton, Massachusetts police officer was arrested and charged with her murder - a murder that was first deemed a suicide when she was found on February 4, 2021. Sandra's friends and family never believed she took her own life. They were right. Justice is coming.

Stoughton is a small town with a few notables like superstar songwriter, Lori McKenna, and Nicola Sacco of the notorious prohibition-era anarchist crime duo of Sacco and Vanzetti (or were they?).
What happens when those sworn to serve and protect become the perpetrators of unspeakable crimes? This episode of Crime of the Truest Kind unravels the harrowing story of Sandra Birchmore from Stoughton, Massachusetts, a case stained by misuse of power, child sexual abuse, and systemic failures.
Setting the stage for Sandra’s tragic narrative, which has shockingly been overlooked until recently. Special guest Susanne Cleveland, a relentless advocate for Sandra, joins us to bring truth, clarity and respect to her memory.
Tracing Sandra’s heartbreaking journey from her introduction to her abusers through the Police Explorers program at just 13, to the relentless abuse she endured, culminating in her tragic death and exposing not only the predatory actions of these individuals, but also the complicity of other officers like Robert C. Devine, who enabled this abuse and was a participant. The systemic failures and the betrayal by those in authority serve as a grim reminder of the broader issues within law enforcement.
We confront the dismissive and misogynistic attitudes that trivialize women's experiences and the historical context of labeling women as "hysterical." The fight for justice in Sandra Birchmore’s case goes on.
If you are experiencing abuse of any kind - coercive control, sexual, physical, financial, emotional, there is help:
•Jane Doe Inc - janedoe.org/find_help
• National Domestic Violence Hotline - thehotline.org

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This podcast has minimal profanity but from time to time you get one or some curse words. This isn't for kids.
Music included in episodes from Joe "onlyone" Kowalski, Dug McCormack's Math Ghosts and Shredding by Andrew King

Chapters

1. Crime of the Truest Kind (00:00:00)

2. We travel to the town of Stoughton (00:06:40)

3. Stoughton Superstar, Lori McKenna (00:07:34)

4. Sacco and Vanzetti, the prohibition-era anarchists (00:08:40)

5. Support Crime of the Truest Kind! (00:13:58)

6. Tragic True Crime Story Unfolds (00:18:12)

7. Law Enforcement Abuse and Accountability (00:37:04)

8. Fight for Justice in Sandra's Case (00:53:59)

9. Uncovering Layers of Law Enforcement Betrayal (01:05:28)