A Massachusetts judge declined to remove a juror from the Lindsay Clancy murder trial on Thursday. The jury, comprised of nine women and three men, ended its sixth day of deliberations without reaching a verdict on charges that Clancy killed her three children in 2023.
The trial follows an incident where Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, was accused of strangling her children. The defense has argued that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis, a condition that can affect a mother's sense of reality, and should not be held criminally responsible. Prosecutors contend that Clancy acted intentionally and rationally. Clancy, who is paralyzed following a suicide attempt, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder.
During Thursday's proceedings, a note sent to the judge indicated that a single juror would not follow court instructions regarding reasonable doubt. In response, Judge William Sullivan questioned each of the 12 deliberating jurors individually at the bench. Following these interviews, the judge re-read instructions on the law and ordered the panel to continue their work.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington requested the removal of the holdout juror, stating the individual refused to "listen to the law." Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague opposed the request, arguing there was no way to determine the specifics of the deliberations. Judge Sullivan ultimately ruled that it would be improper to side with either the lone juror or the other 11, noting that every juror confirmed they could follow his instructions.
A mistrial would not immediately result in Clancy's release; she is currently held without bail at Tewksbury Hospital, a state psychiatric facility. For the public and legal community, the case highlights the application of the "not criminally responsible" standard in cases involving postpartum psychosis. A retrial would require the selection of a new jury and the repetition of medical and forensic testimony.
The jury is scheduled to return for a seventh day of deliberations at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026. If the deadlock persists, Judge Sullivan could order a mistrial as early as Friday. If a mistrial is declared, prosecutors may either announce an intent to retry the case or take additional time to evaluate their options, including the possibility of a plea agreement for lesser charges.