Lindsay Clancy murder trial ends with hung jury, mistrial declared
(CBS NEWS) — Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial has ended in a mistrial. The hung jury could not reach a verdict in Plymouth Superior Court in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
What to know about the Lindsay Clancy mistrial:
- Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial ended without a verdict Friday after the jury said for a third time it remained deadlocked. After 36 hours of deliberations, Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial.
- Clancy pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the deaths of her children – 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan – in their Duxbury home in January 2023.
- Prosecutors said Clancy planned the killings and knew right from wrong when she strangled the children. The defense admitted Clancy killed her kids, but said she shouldn’t be held criminally responsible because she was overmedicated and suffering from postpartum psychosis.
Is mistrial a “win” for Lindsay Clancy’s defense?
WBZ-TV legal analyst Jennifer Roman was asked if a mistrial would be considered a “win” for Lindsay Clancy’s defense.
“I think a mistrial for the defense is favorable to a guilty finding, for sure,” Roman said. “I’m not sure that it’s necessarily a win. I think that Lindsay Clancy and her team, along with every other person involved in this case, would like resolution and would like this to be done. Certainly, if there’s a mistrial, there’s a very real possibility the case would be tried again.”
Roman added that the most likely scenario would be that there is another trial.
“And that, you know, just the thought of that carries a certain weight to it, and a certain emotional impact, I think, for everybody involved,” Roman said.
David Yannetti on what it’s like dealing with a deadlocked jury
David Yannetti, who was Karen Read’s attorney during her two trials, spoke to WBZ-TV about the feeling attorneys have when juries are deadlocked.
“It is a very difficult position to be in. It can be upsetting. Speaking from experience, during the first Karen Read trial, this is pretty much how it went for us. We sent the jury out and we were very confident we had persuaded everybody that they should come back not guilty. We expected a quick verdict despite the length of the trial,” Yannetti said. “And when it dragged on, you can’t help but speculate on, what’s going on in there? How can somebody not go along with us? Who’s fighting? Who’s with us, who’s not? And you have zero answers because nobody’s in that jury room.”
Yannetti added that the deadlocked jury means defense attorney Kevin Reddington presented a successful case.
“He has persuaded some on the jury, in my view, that she should not be convicted, and the reason is lack of criminal responsibility,” Yannetti said.
Mental health resources
Much of the Lindsay Clancy trial testimony revolved around mental health issues, including suicide.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information about mental healthcare resources and support, the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
