Lindsay Clancy speaks in court for first time since mistrial in children’s deaths
Clancy is charged with the January 2023 deaths of her three children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months
Lindsay Clancy spoke in court for the first time since her murder trial ended in a mistrial as she appeared for a status conference in Massachusetts on September 29.
Clancy, 36, appeared at Plymouth Superior Court, where Judge William Sullivan greeted her at the beginning of the hearing. She responded, “Good morning,” marking her first remarks in court since the five-week trial ended without a verdict.
Clancy is charged with the January 2023 deaths of her three children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months. She has pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility, with her defence arguing that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis at the time.
Prosecutors alleged during the trial that Clancy deliberately killed her children and understood that her actions were wrong. The defence, meanwhile, argued that her mental state meant she should not be held criminally responsible.
The trial ended on September 4 after jurors deliberated for seven days without reaching a unanimous verdict. The jury was reportedly split 11-1, resulting in Judge Sullivan declaring a mistrial.
Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington has since filed a motion arguing that she should not face a second trial because of double jeopardy protections. He also asked the judge on Tuesday to issue a required finding of not guilty, arguing that prosecutors did not present sufficient evidence to establish criminal responsibility.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Reddington also challenged the evidence presented against Clancy and argued that police had not properly investigated the case. Prosecutors disputed the defence’s claims, saying there was extensive evidence in the case. Judge Sullivan took the request for a finding of not guilty under advisement.
Prosecutors have not yet formally announced whether they will retry Clancy or what charges they would pursue. The two sides discussed a possible retrial date during Tuesday’s hearing, but agreed to wait for rulings on several pending motions. A further hearing has been scheduled for November 2.
Clancy remains in custody at a state psychiatric hospital and is on suicide watch. She became paralysed from the waist down after jumping from a second-storey window following the children’s deaths.
