The lone holdout juror in the recent Lindsay Clancy murder trial reportedly faced domestic violence allegations and had an active restraining order against him during his jury service, according to a recent report. This juror's stance led to an 11-1 deadlock, resulting in a mistrial in the case.
The juror, an unidentified Black man in his 40s, also faces claims from his landlord that he lied about his living situation and owes more than $12,000 in back rent, the Daily Mail reported. The landlord stated the juror moved into a rented home in March, agreeing to pay $2,400 per month, but stopped paying rent shortly after.
Further details revealed by NBC10 Boston indicate the juror was charged with assault in September 2021 following an incident involving his then-wife. According to a police report, the man's nephew called 911, alleging his uncle had grabbed his wife by the throat and thrown her into a dresser. The charge was later dismissed, and the couple divorced. The ex-wife told NBC10 she feared testifying due to potential custody issues.
Additionally, the same nephew reportedly obtained a restraining order against the juror last year. The teenager accused his uncle of assault, stating in an affidavit that the juror knocked him to the ground, punched him repeatedly, and made threats. This restraining order was active when the juror was selected for and served on the Clancy jury.
Massachusetts' standard juror questionnaire requires prospective jurors to disclose any arrests, criminal charges, or court orders. Legal analysts have questioned how the juror could have remained on the panel if this information was not disclosed. It is a crime to answer the questionnaire untruthfully. The current whereabouts of the juror's questionnaire and the specific answers he provided are not publicly known.
Lindsay Clancy, 36, a former nurse, was accused of strangling her three young children, Cora, five; Dawson, three; and Callan, eight months, in their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. Clancy did not deny killing her children but argued she should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, as she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. Her defense heavily relied on her mental state at the time of the killings.
Other jurors described significant tension during deliberations. Jury foreperson Roni Carlson told NBC Boston that 11 jurors believed Clancy was not guilty by reason of insanity. She stated the holdout juror acknowledged having reasonable doubt but ultimately refused to vote for acquittal. Another juror, Paula Devlin, told the Daily Mail that the holdout juror was unfocused on the case's merits, instead lecturing the group on respecting each other's speaking time. She also noted he would frequently speak to his wife or watch videos on his phone during deliberations.
Clancy's attorney has declined to comment on the new information regarding the juror. The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office and Plymouth Superior Court have also been contacted for comment. Neighbors reportedly speculated that the juror might have gone into hiding due to the intense public interest in the case following the mistrial declaration on Friday.