PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Lindsay Clancy's trial judge declared a mistrial on Friday after an emergency defense appeal was denied. Judge William Sullivan ended the trial after jurors sent a note for a third time indicating they could not unanimously decide whether to hold her criminally responsible for killing her three young children in 2023.
Deliberations took a turn on Thursday when the foreperson informed the judge that a lone holdout was refusing to adhere to the court's instructions regarding reasonable doubt. Clancy's defense argued that the judge's refusal to remove the juror undermined the trial.
Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, admitted to strangling her children in the basement of their home. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington attributed her actions to postpartum psychosis, while prosecutor Jennifer Sprague contended that Clancy was aware of her actions.
Postpartum psychosis is estimated to affect 1 to 2 per 1,000 women following delivery. Experts at the Cleveland Clinic describe it as a mental health emergency that alters a person's sense of reality. Although most individuals with postpartum psychosis do not harm their children, severe cases may lead to such actions.
David Meier, representing Clancy's former husband Patrick Clancy in a civil lawsuit regarding her mental health treatment, expressed gratitude to the court and jurors for their efforts. He stated, "The loss of Patrick's children is something from which he will never recover and from which there will never be closure. The prospect of reliving this tragedy through another trial is extraordinarily painful -- for Patrick, for his family, and for all of us."
In separate lawsuits, Lindsay and Patrick Clancy allege that various providers failed to recognize her risk to herself and her children. The providers involved deny these allegations and dispute that Clancy clearly communicated any intent to harm her children.
Outside the courthouse, Marta Quijano, who has been following the case, expressed her belief that Clancy was treated unfairly. She remarked, "I think one person failed her."
Clancy's family was escorted out of the courthouse without making comments to reporters. She remains charged with murder and will continue to be held at a psychiatric hospital until her criminal case is resolved.
Reddington spoke about Clancy, stating, "she's like a daughter to me," and expressed his disappointment over the mistrial, saying, "She deserved an acquittal."
District Attorney Timothy Cruz emphasized the case's focus on justice for the children, stating, "This case is not about the healthcare system, or about how women are treated in it. ... This was and has always been about getting justice for those three little babies."
The judge set a hearing for September 29, where Reddington may request a declaration of not guilty, a rare step allowed under state law. The judge declared a mistrial but Reddington objected, claiming federal law protecting criminal defendants was violated.
The defense filed an emergency appeal with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, arguing that the trial judge should further question the identified juror about their ability to apply the law and follow instructions during deliberations. The appeal requests the court to either inquire into the juror's ability or prohibit further deliberations by that juror until a determination is made.
The judge stated he would declare a mistrial as planned, but Reddington continued to object. The judge thanked the jurors for their service and dismissed them. The appeal petition highlighted concerns about bias against individuals with mental illness, which the defense argues violates the defendant's right to an impartial jury.
The defense's emergency appeal was heard by Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt, who stated she would take the appeal under advisement without providing a timeline for her decision. The judge expressed that he felt compelled to declare a mistrial, despite Reddington's arguments for further deliberation.
The prosecution maintained that a mistrial was necessary due to the jury's inability to reach a decision, while Reddington argued that the judge still had discretion to send the jury back for further deliberations. Ultimately, the judge declared a mistrial, giving the defense one hour to file an emergency appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.