Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder case are trying to decide whether the former labor and delivery nurse is criminally responsible for killing her three children at her Massachusetts home in 2023
PLYMOUTH, Mass. — Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy trial have been struggling to agree on a verdict following a trial over whether she should be held criminally responsible for killing her three young children at her Massachusetts home in 2023.
Both sides agree that she did it. But her attorneys argue that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time and that poor mental healthcare exacerbated her condition. Prosecutors argue that she intentionally planned the killings.
Over 21 days of testimony, the jury heard from dozens of witnesses, including doctors, first responders, relatives and even Clancy’s former husband.
If convicted, Clancy's sentence could be as severe as life in prison. If found not guilty, she may be released or remain confined in a mental health facility. If the jury is unable to reach a verdict, the judge could declare a mistrial.
As the jury deliberates, here are key moments from the trial:
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.
Before sending the deadlocked jury home Thursday, Judge William Sullivan declined a defense request to remove one of the jurors following heated discussions from both sides.
Earlier, the jury's foreperson sent the judge a note saying a single juror won’t follow the court’s instructions about reasonable doubt.
Details of the jury room conflict weren’t revealed and only briefly discussed in open court, but it raised the possibility that a single holdout was standing in the way of a verdict.
Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington said the juror should have been dismissed from the case. Sullivan said removing a deliberating juror is a sensitive undertaking.
The judge questioned each juror individually in private, then reread his instructions about reasonable doubt in court.
Reddington said afterward outside the courthouse that the juror would be questioned again by the judge Friday.
Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague said in court that she believed Sullivan’s instruction was appropriate and no further action was necessary.
Jurors have sent notes to the judge at least three times since they began deliberating Aug. 27.
