Matthew Farwell Trial: What comes next for former Stoughton cap after guilty verdicts?

We're joined now by our legal analyst, Elyse Hirschhorn. Elyse, thanks for being here. I want to talk about what's next. Federal case, mandatory life sentence. Walk us through that. So there will be a sentencing hearing. We hear that it's on February 3rd. However, it is a mandatory minimum sentence for these charges that he's now been convicted on of life without the possibility of parole, which means the judge cannot at this time or at any future time decide that Farwell is eligible for parole. But what this is an opportunity for is for the. Witnesses, Sandra Birchmore's family, friends, people that were affected by this, to have their moment in court, to be able to read a statement or write a statement for the DA's office to read on their behalf for part of their closure and their healing process, whatever that is. But that will not change what the judge is required to impose, which is life without parole. Is there anything else we should know about that part? About sentencing, just that that will be official and then he'll be transported to federal prison. You were looking at something else when it comes to this. Yes, so there is something interesting, and this is the thing about the law, is that there's always something around the corner. So double jeopardy does not apply between federal and state court. The Supreme Court of the United States has determined that. It's called the dual sovereignty document. Doctrine. So technically the U.S. Supreme Court says somebody who is charged, whether they're acquitted or convicted in one court, federal court, can still be eligible to be charged and tried in state court. So Farwell is not automatically off the hook on the state level just because he's been tried and convicted in federal court. So interesting. Yeah. Sandra's family said this about accountability and the trust we place in people in positions of authority We're already beyond that conviction. That potentially another legal avenue to hold anybody, not just Farwell, but anybody accountable who might have failed. Sandra. Absolutely. And the list is growing. You know, certainly the family is, and rightfully so, pointing the finger at the lack of an investigation on the state level. But then we just heard from the district attorney's office, Michael Morrissey, pointing the finger at the medical examiner's office. So now are we to step back and question statewide what these investigations are and if they're reliable and credible? It's a big question here. Sounds like there's more to be revealed, and that will play out relatively soon. Absolutely. All right, Elyse Hirschhorn, our legal analyst here at Boston 25 News appreciate your perspective walking us through this entire trial.