Tensions are high in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children, as a hold-out juror has halted the delivery of a verdict. After 36 hours of deliberations, the jury foreperson informed Judge William Sullivan that one of the 12 jurors is not adhering to the legal standard of reasonable doubt.
In response to the jury's note, Judge Sullivan issued a renewed instruction to the panel, urging them to continue weighing the evidence with a focus on reasonable doubt. However, Clancy's defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, has formally requested the dismissal of the juror, citing their alleged unwillingness to follow the court's directives.
Reddington expressed confidence in his defense strategy, stating outside the courthouse that he does not desire a mistrial. "I kicked the s*** out of their case," he told reporters.
Lindsay Clancy is accused of murdering her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, eight months, at their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. She has pleaded not guilty by reason of postpartum psychosis. If found not criminally responsible, she would be committed to a state mental health facility. Prosecutors acknowledge Clancy's mental illness but maintain she was aware of her actions during the killings.
On Thursday, Clancy was brought to the judge's bench in her wheelchair, accompanied by Reddington, to observe as the judge individually questioned each juror about their ability to follow the law on reasonable doubt. All 12 jurors affirmed their capacity to do so.
Reddington has filed a motion requesting that all future proceedings and arguments in the trial be conducted in open court, rather than in sidebars.
The jury, comprised of nine women and three men, has twice previously indicated an impasse, raising the possibility of a mistrial before the most recent note from the foreperson. The current situation presents an unusual scenario, with the jury's division reportedly standing at 11 to 1 as deliberations continue.