Lindsay Clancy’s Trial Is Over, But There’s Still No Verdict

After weeks of testimony and seven days of deliberations, the jury in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial couldn’t reach a unanimous decision.

A Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial Friday after the 12-person jury remained deadlocked following roughly 38 hours of deliberations. According to jury notes, the panel was split 11-1, with one juror apparently unable to agree with the other 11.

That left Judge William F. Sullivan with no choice but to discharge the jury. A unanimous verdict was required to resolve the case.

The Final Hours Were Especially Tense

The mistrial came after a dramatic series of developments Friday. Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, asked Sullivan to hold a hearing concerning the juror described as the lone holdout.

Reddington argued that the juror wasn’t just reaching a different conclusion about the evidence or the law. Instead, he claimed the juror had expressed doubts but was refusing to apply the law as instructed.

Sullivan rejected the request, pointing to his earlier reasoning on the matter. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court also denied an emergency request from Clancy’s defense, clearing the way for the judge to declare the mistrial.

The jury was then dismissed.

Before sending them home, Sullivan thanked the jurors for their work throughout what had been an extraordinarily difficult case. He acknowledged the length of the trial and the difficulty of listening to the evidence, telling them he understood that they had given everything they could to their responsibility.

What Happens To Lindsay Clancy Now?

The mistrial doesn’t mean Clancy was found guilty or acquitted. It means the jury couldn’t reach the unanimous verdict needed to finish the trial.

Prosecutors had argued that Clancy intentionally killed her three children and acted “intentionally, rationally, and swiftly.” Her defense argued that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and should not be held criminally responsible for the deaths.

Now, prosecutors could potentially seek a new trial with a different jury. Friday’s mistrial therefore leaves the case unresolved and raises an obvious question. Will Lindsay Clancy face another trial?

For now, there is no verdict.

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