Judge Declares Mistrial in Lindsay Clancy Triple Murder Case After Seven Days of Jury Deadlock

The Mistrial

Judge William F. Sullivan declared a mistrial Friday afternoon in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial after seven days of jury deliberations failed to produce a unanimous verdict. The 12-member jury — nine women and three men — spent approximately 38 hours over seven days deliberating without reaching agreement. One juror held out against the other eleven. Under Massachusetts law, a murder verdict must be unanimous. Without it, the judge had no choice but to declare the trial over.
The mistrial came after a dramatic final morning in court. Sullivan had been prepared to declare a mistrial early Friday, but defense attorney Kevin Reddington asked for one hour to seek an emergency stay from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The state’s highest court denied the request. Sullivan then declared the mistrial.

The Case

Clancy, 36, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children — Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months — who were strangled at the family’s Duxbury home on January 24, 2023. Clancy survived after an attempt to take her own life at the same time. She has pleaded not guilty.
The trial began with jury selection on July 20. Opening statements were delivered on July 26, with Patrick Clancy — Lindsay’s former husband and the children’s father — serving as the prosecution’s first witness. He had previously said publicly that he did not believe Lindsay was a monster, describing her as someone who got sick. After the mistrial was declared, Patrick’s attorney David Meier issued a statement saying Patrick was grateful to the court and jurors for their hard work, but that the prospect of reliving this tragedy through another trial was extraordinarily painful for him, his family, and everyone involved.

What Both Sides Argued

Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that Clancy acted intentionally, rationally, and swiftly to kill her children — that her actions were planned and deliberate, not the product of mental illness. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz defended his decision to bring first-degree murder charges after the mistrial was declared, saying children were murdered and that it was his office’s job to seek justice.
The defense argued that Clancy was in the grip of severe postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings and should not be held criminally responsible. Defense attorney Reddington told reporters after the mistrial that his client was not good. He called Clancy a fantastic, wonderful individual. He also turned his attention to the lone holdout juror, saying Clancy had been robbed and that he hoped that juror could sleep well at night. He said he was prepared to retry the case.

The Holdout Juror

The jury foreperson sent a note to Judge Sullivan identifying the holdout juror and indicating that person would not follow the judge’s instructions regarding reasonable doubt. Reddington asked the judge to question that juror individually and potentially remove them. Sullivan declined. The full split among the jury — whether the majority were leaning toward conviction or acquittal — was not disclosed in court.

What Happens Next

Prosecutors have the right to retry Clancy with a new jury. Cruz did not announce a decision Friday. Legal analysts offered three possibilities: a retrial, plea negotiations that could result in a lesser charge, or a decision not to prosecute again. Reddington said he would absolutely go to trial again if the case is retried.
Source: ABC News, PBS NewsHour, NBC News, CNN, AP