The jury in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three young children, remained deadlocked on its fifth day of deliberations Tuesday, prompting the judge to order them to continue weighing the evidence. The impasse has thrown the verdict into further chaos following the arrest of a woman outside the courthouse for allegedly filming jurors.
Clancy, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, admitted to killing her children Cora, five, Dawson, three, and Callan, eight months, using exercise bands in January 2023. She has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. The jury of nine women and three men has been deliberating for approximately 23 hours over four days and informed the judge on Tuesday morning that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision.
Outside the courthouse, defense attorney Kevin Reddington addressed speculation about a potential plea deal. When asked if one had been considered, he directed reporters to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, stating, "Ask Mr. Cruz if he'd offer one. It's the only thing I can tell you because I have no control over it." Reddington also criticized Cruz for pursuing first-degree murder charges, suggesting they should have been reduced to second-degree, which could have allowed for a bench trial instead of a jury trial in Massachusetts for first-degree murder cases.
Juror Intimidation Allegation
A disruption occurred Tuesday afternoon when Dawn Light, 56, was arrested outside Plymouth District Court and charged with intimidation of a witness, juror, or person furnishing information in connection with criminal proceedings. Massachusetts State Police announced the arrest, which occurred about 10 minutes after the jury was excused for the day. Light is scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday.
Judge William Sullivan opened Wednesday's court session with a reminder to all parties about existing court orders and statutes regarding conduct related to jurors, witnesses, and attorneys, emphasizing that these rules would be enforced. He then conducted brief sidebar conferences with the attorneys before calling each juror to the bench individually to reaffirm their impartiality, a process that had occurred previously after a large rally outside the courthouse.
Deliberations Continue
Clancy's defense team, including her priest, parents, and sister, were present in the courtroom as deliberations resumed. The jury must reach a unanimous verdict on whether Clancy is guilty of murder, manslaughter, or not criminally responsible. Failure to reach a unanimous decision could ultimately lead to the judge declaring a mistrial.
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