Lindsay Clancy will remain at the Tewksbury Hospital, a state-run psychiatric facility, as prosecutors consider their next steps following a mistrial in her triple-murder case. A jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths of her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months, who were found dead in their Duxbury home on January 24, 2023.
Clancy, 36, claims she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and had been overprescribed psychiatric medications. Following the deaths of her children, she attempted suicide by jumping from the second story of her home, leaving her partially paralyzed and requiring a wheelchair. She was being held at Tewksbury Hospital prior to the mistrial.
During the trial, Dr. Avram Mack, a psychiatrist who previously worked at Nemours Children’s Health in Delaware, testified about Clancy's daily routine at the facility. He described her as largely staying in bed or alone, with limited interaction with other patients. Clancy reportedly had some interaction with a therapist and a physical therapist but showed little interest in the physical therapy sessions.
Mack also testified that Clancy expressed disinterest in the hospital's food and her own hygiene, stating that showering was embarrassing and required staff assistance. She described feeling depressed, which she termed "situational depression," and expressed a desire not to be alive. Clancy did receive visitors periodically and sometimes consumed food or drinks they brought.
Clancy's defense lawyer, Kevin Reddington, confirmed on Friday that she would return to Tewksbury Hospital after her appeal to prevent a mistrial was denied by the state's Supreme Court. The mistrial was reportedly due to a single holdout juror who could not reach a unanimous decision.
Legal experts suggest that the Plymouth County District Attorney's office, led by Timothy J. Cruz, is likely to pursue a retrial. Brad Bailey, a Boston defense attorney not involved in the case, believes prosecutors will want to retry Clancy to seek justice for the deceased children, as the case remains unresolved. Bailey noted that prosecutors could potentially offer a plea deal for a lesser charge, such as second-degree murder or manslaughter, though he anticipates Clancy's defense team would likely reject such an offer.
At a potential new trial, the prosecution may focus on securing experts with experience in treating postpartum psychosis. The defense, meanwhile, is expected to aim to better educate the jury on the fluctuating nature of psychosis, including periods of lucidity. Bailey suggested that if the state decides not to retry the case, it could issue a "nolle prosequi," a motion to dismiss the indictments. However, he expressed surprise if the defense were to achieve a different outcome than during the first trial, especially given the 11-to-1 jury split favoring acquittal.