Jurors in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy informed the judge on Tuesday that they are deadlocked, but they were instructed to continue their deliberations. The 12-person jury, comprising nine women and six men, reported their inability to reach a unanimous decision on the three first-degree murder charges after nearly 18 hours of deliberation.
Judge William Sullivan acknowledged the jury's note, stating, "I’ve got your question and the question is after many hours of deliberation we are unable to come to a unanimous decision." He then directed them to resume their work, reminding them of the trial's length, the number of witnesses, and the extensive exhibits presented. "I’m going to ask you to go back out, keeping in mind all of the instructions that I gave you, to go out and continue your deliberation at this time," the judge said.
The jury's impasse comes after hearing conflicting accounts regarding Clancy's mental state at the time she allegedly strangled her children, Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and 8-month-old Callan, with exercise bands before attempting suicide on Jan. 24, 2023. The defense argued that Clancy was experiencing postpartum psychosis, exacerbated by prescription medications, and claimed a voice inside her head instructed her to kill the children and herself. Prosecutors, however, contended that Clancy was of sound mind and had meticulously planned the murders, even arranging for her then-husband to be out of the house.
The trial, which began with the testimony of Patrick Clancy, Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband, lasted 21 days and featured over 80 witnesses and more than 300 exhibits. Patrick Clancy testified that his ex-wife had sought help for her deteriorating mental health in the months leading up to the killings, including seeing a psychiatrist, contacting a suicide hotline twice, and spending five days in a mental institution. He stated that she had even expressed thoughts of harming the children. He also described how she was prescribed at least 13 psychiatric medications by five different providers between November 2022 and the day before the murders. Patrick Clancy recounted returning home to find Lindsay Clancy injured in the backyard and subsequently discovering their children deceased in the basement.
Lindsay Clancy, who attended the proceedings in a wheelchair due to paralysis, reportedly became distressed during the testimony, breaking down in tears as the 911 call was played, family photos were shown, and evidence such as the children's pajamas and the exercise bands were presented. A medical examiner also testified about the autopsy performed on baby Callan. Other family members testified that Clancy's personality had changed significantly after Callan's birth, as she struggled with insomnia, depression, and anxiety about returning to work.