The jury tasked with deciding the fate of Lindsay Clancy in her murder trial has informed the court they are currently unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The group, consisting of nine women and three men, communicated their deadlock to Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan on Tuesday, marking the fourth day of their deliberations.
The jury had been deliberating for less than an hour Tuesday morning when they submitted a note to the judge shortly after 10 a.m. Judge Sullivan read the message aloud in the courtroom, which stated, “After many hours of deliberation, we are unable to come to a unanimous decision.” Following the announcement, the judge instructed the jurors to return to their private deliberations.
Clancy, 36, faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of her three children—Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months—at their Duxbury home on January 24, 2023. She has entered a plea of not guilty. The defense, led by attorney Kevin Reddington, argues that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated at the time, rendering her not criminally responsible. Conversely, prosecutors contend that the actions were premeditated and that the defendant understood the nature of her conduct.
Throughout the trial, jurors have reviewed evidence from more than 200 items and heard testimony from 85 witnesses. Since receiving the case last Thursday, the jury has spent over 21 hours in deliberation. Observers in the courtroom noted that neither Clancy nor her family displayed visible reactions to the news of the deadlock, with Reddington having reportedly prepared them for the possibility before the announcement.
Legal analysts suggest that if the jury remains deadlocked, the court will follow a specific protocol to encourage a resolution
- Deadlock #1: The judge directs the jury to continue their deliberations.
- Deadlock #2: The judge issues the “Tuey-Rodriguez” instruction, also known as a “dynamite charge,” which is a final effort under Massachusetts law to prompt a unanimous verdict.
- Deadlock #3: If the jury remains unable to agree after these steps, a mistrial will be declared.
Should a mistrial occur, the prosecution would retain the authority to retry the case, as the defendant has not been convicted of any charges, meaning double jeopardy does not apply. Legal experts noted that a second trial would likely involve a different presentation of the prosecution’s case in hopes of achieving a definitive outcome.
Regarding the potential outcomes of the trial, a conviction for first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or manslaughter would result in a prison sentence. Should the jury find the defendant not guilty by reason of insanity, she would be required to remain at Tewksbury State Hospital, subject to periodic case reviews.
Reddington expressed continued confidence in the jury, describing them as “attentive, diligent, and hard working” while speaking to reporters outside the courtroom. Meanwhile, resources remain available for those experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis. Individuals can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or reach the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. The report also notes that prosecutors said Clancy planned the killings and knew right from wrong when she strangled the children. The report also notes that if they come back deadlocked again, Judge Sullivan will meet with the attorneys from both sides and then read what are called the “Tuey-Rodriguez” instructions to the jury. The report also notes that also known as the “dynamite charge,” happened in Karen Read’s first trial in 2024, this instruction. The report also notes that if it ends up being a hung jury and the prosecution decides to re-try the case, I think they’re going to present their case a little bit differently from the get go with the hopes for a different result at the end of a second trial. The report also notes that a reminder of how deadlocked jury instructions typically work in MA.
Important Details
- The report also notes that deadlock #3 – mistrial (1/2) #LindsayClancy pic.twitter.com/zy4rxgj2tg.
Source: CBS News
