Lindsay Clancy Mistrial: Jury Deadlock Proves Too Much To Continue Triple-Murder Case, For Now

After a week of deliberations and declarations of the Massachusetts jury in Lindsay Clancy’s triple-murder case being deadlocked, the judge has declared a mistrial today. Covered live by CNN, Fox News and the BBC, the long-expected move by Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan to the panel of nine women and three men came after filings and harsh words in the courtroom from defense attorneys and more. A new trial seems almost certain with a hearing requested ASAP Friday by defense lawyer Kevin Reddington. “My preference is to try sooner rather than later,” Reddington said, looking at “the fall.” Former nurse Clancy has admitted to killing her three children in early 2023. The Plymouth District Attorney insists the 39-year-old is “criminally responsible.” for those deaths. Watch on Deadline Reddington and the rest of the defense team have insisted despite sending her now ex-husband out on errands before the triple killing, Clancy was in the thrall of postpartum psychosis. The defense says their client had no control over her fatal actions despite the clear planning of the horrible event. In fact, after the birth of her youngest, Clancy sought out treatment for her mental health issues and had a stint in a psychiatric hospital. After killing her children three years ago, Clancy cut herself and tried to kill herself. Though unsuccessful, Clancy’s jump from a second story window that January 24, 2023 day has left her partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Facing life behind bars if found guilty in this now ended trial, the non-testifying Clancy entered a not guilty plea. There is also the possibility she could be placed in a care facility for decades under strict observation. If found not guilty, Clancy could be released. As of now, awaiting a new trial, she will remain in custody. On Thursday it became clear the block on a verdict is one holdout juror. A juror that defense attorney Kevin Reddington is convinced is rejecting “reasonable doubt” and is holding out for a guilty verdict. A juror that Massachusetts prosecutors seem to feel confident is proof their strategy in the case of the former nurse is working. As well as this now shuttered trial, Clancy and her ex-husband have a civil case in the courts for medical malpractice against their healthcare providers. After a mistrial was initially averted earlier Thursday and the panel went back for more deliberations, Reddington came very close to losing his composure at Judge Sullivan. Today, like Thursday, saw cable news providing almost gavel-to-gavel coverage as the case went to the New England state’s Supreme Court and right back again. Also like on September 3 when Reddington blasted the holdout juror for“refusing to listen to the law,” today saw Clancy’s lawyer aim his ire at the system. On Thursday, suggesting the judge’s words to the jury were too weak, Reddington wanted the stubborn juror tossed out – likely in the hopes of an acquittal. After hearing from the local district attorney, Judge Sullivan said no. Before the drama, as outlets waited for cameras in the court to be turned on, pundits and guests tried to figure out what was going on with the jury and the judge — and what it could all mean down the line in the highly charged case. Judge Sullivan bluntly asked the jury members if they understood what “reasonable doubt” means, and if they could follow the law. They all said yes and went back behind close doors to deliberate further after 35 hours so far at that time. Friday all finally came undone in a case that will surely take over the small screen again in a matter of weeks. Over 600,000 women a year in America are afflicted with postpartum depression in America, research shows. According to the Centers for Disease Control, complications of postpartum depression and anxiety are now the leading cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. In the last days of this year’s legislative session, California pols passed the Perinatal Mental Health Screening & Treatment Bill. Focusing on follow-up as well as screening, SB 626 now goes to Gavin Newsom’s desk, where the outgoing governor has until September 30 to sign it or veto the bill. “It’s just so awkward,” defense attorney Mark O’Mara exclaimed on CNN on Thursday of the brief and individual questioning of each juror in Massachusetts court. “It’s just strange,” O’Mara added, noting this could all come back in an appeal. Now we know it will be another trial and then that likely appeal.