‘Lone male juror’: Mistrial declared in Lindsay Clancy case, after unsuccessful trip to appeals court

By Bob Unruh

Patrick Clancy's daughter Cora, son Dawson and son Callan were all strangled with exercise bands (GoFundMe)
Patrick Clancy’s daughter Cora, son Dawson and son Callan were all strangled with exercise bands (GoFundMe)

Editor’s note: This report has been updated throughout to reflect the judge’s declaration of a mistrial.

Judge William Sullivan, in court in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on Friday formally declared a mistrial in the murder case against Lindsay Clancy.

The ruling came amid chaos in the courtroom that erupted when it became apparent the jury had divided 11-1 on a conviction, and repeated attempts to reach unanimity failed.

The ruling even followed an emergency defense appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court by defense counsel Kevin Reddington, who had suggested that the holdout juror likely was not following court instructions to evaluate the case.

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The emergency appeal came in the case against Clancy, who killed her three young children in December 2023 and now faces a retrial.

She admits killing her children but says she did so while overmedicated for post-partum psychosis and that she did not murder them.

A hearing was scheduled for September 29 to determine the next step.

It is possible that prosecutors will decide against another trial, although that appears unlikely. They could change up the actual legal charges they are bringing.

Reports confirmed that prosecutors also could request a verdict from a judge, rather than a jury.

Nine women and three men spent nearly 38 hours deliberating after weeks of testimony.

And they ultimately sent four notes to the judge explaining they were not, and would not be, unanimous.

The emergency defense request Friday went to Associate Justice Dalia Argaez Wendlandt, who rejected the request after a brief hearing.

Editor’s Note: See a WorldNetDaily report on the impact of psychiatric drugs, and what the combination of Prozac, Zoloft, Remeron, Trazodone, Amitriptyline, Seroquel, Lamictal, Ativan, Benzodiazepine, Klonopin, Valium, Ambien and Buspirone, all of which were present in Lindsay Clancy’s life, may have produced.

Sullivan earlier said he would declare a mistrial, then suddenly changed course and announced permission for the defense to give Reddington time to seek emergency intervention from a single justice of the state’s highest court.

The trial, which has been described as gripping America, is over accusations Clancy killed her children, Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan, at her home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 2023.

She admitted to the deaths, but pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity. Defenses witnesses have explained how she suffered postpartum effects, and was given numerous different drugs to take at the same time. Psychosis as a result of overmedication has been her plea.

At issue is whether Clancy, 36, is guilty of murder, manslaughter, or not criminally responsible.

Jurors already reported on Tuesday and Wednesday they were deadlocked.

On Thursdays, tensions between defense counsel at the judge erupted, and he spoke not only with the defendant but each of the 12 jurors.

Fox reported, “It is unclear what formed their discussion, but the mood inside the courtroom was tense as each juror spoke briefly for a minute before leaving again.”

Reddington had charged that “one juror” who is “refusing to listen to the law” should be removed from the panel.

Feminists across the country have adopted Clancy’s arguments and have protested, held events, and more, in support of her.

The jury’s latest note said, “It is with a heavy heart that we report we are unable to come to a unanimous decision and will not be able to.”

Prosecutors pointed out that ordinarily would “require a mistrial,” and the judge, before allowing the appeal said, “Under the statute and the case law, I don’t feel I have any choice but to declare a mistrial at this time.”

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.


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