The jury in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy was dismissed for the day on Wednesday after reporting a second deadlock in deliberations. Clancy, 36, is accused of killing her three young children in their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in 2023.
Clancy has admitted to the killings but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, with her defense citing postpartum psychosis. Prosecutors argue the deaths were intentional and premeditated.
After deliberating for 29.5 hours over several days, the panel informed Judge William Sullivan that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision. "After much deliberation, we are still unable to come to a unanimous decision," the jury's note stated.
In response, Sullivan reread a modified version of the Tuey-Rodriguez instruction, commonly known as a "dynamite charge." This instruction encourages jurors to continue deliberating, emphasizing that they are in the best position to reach a verdict and that a future jury would not have better evidence or be more qualified.
The judge noted that this instruction could be given a maximum of two times before a mistrial must be declared. The jury continued deliberations until 4 p.m. before being dismissed for the day and asked to return Thursday morning. The jurors are not being sequestered.
Clancy's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, told reporters that Clancy is "sad" and "upset" while awaiting a verdict. He indicated that mascara stains on his suit were a sign of her emotional distress. "You see the mascara on my suit? That's how she's holding up. She's upset. She's very, very upset," Reddington said, adding that Clancy is most concerned about her children.
Reddington expressed pride in the jury's diligence and stated his readiness to begin a new trial the following week if a mistrial is declared due to continued deadlock. "If they come back with the verdict, we'll see what it is, if they don't. I'm ready to try it next week," he said.
During the five-week trial, the prosecution presented evidence suggesting the killings were well-planned. The defense focused on Clancy's mental state at the time, attributing her actions to postpartum psychosis exacerbated by overmedication.
