Lindsay Clancy Seeks Dismissal of Murder Charges After Mistrial

Lindsay Clancy appeared in a Plymouth, Massachusetts, courtroom on Monday to argue for the dismissal of the charges that she murdered her three young children. This hearing marked the second time the 36-year-old mother has been before a judge since her trial ended in September with a deadlocked jury. Her legal team is asking Judge William Sullivan to drop the case on double jeopardy grounds.

Clancy has not disputed that she killed her children in 2023. Her defense attorneys argue she suffered from postpartum psychosis and could not control her behavior. Prosecutors acknowledge she had mental health problems but maintain she acted deliberately and understood her actions were wrong.

Defense attorney Martin G. Weinberg contended that Sullivan should have investigated the jury more thoroughly. The jury foreperson had sent two notes indicating a juror was not following rules. Weinberg said further questioning could have revealed grounds to remove the holdout juror, Michael Desronvil, and continue deliberations. This, he argued, might have prevented the mistrial.

Sullivan stated that he spoke with each juror after receiving the notes. He reminded them of their duties and explained reasonable doubt. All jurors said they could apply the law to the case. Weinberg argued this was insufficient because a juror claiming they could follow the law might have been lying.

"That’s what the foreperson was asking the court to do," Weinberg said. He told Sullivan, "I can see that this is not easy." Sullivan replied, "You don't have to keep saying that. I have thick skin."

Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague argued that Sullivan struck the right balance. Pressing the foreperson further would have delved into the substance of deliberations. Sprague told Sullivan, "You were the one who looked them in the eyes and asked them the questions and was in the best position to judge their credibility. And you credited their answers." She noted that Desronvil did not refuse to deliberate, but refused to agree.

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington criticized Desronvil’s conduct, accusing him of using a cellphone to research case terms and lying about his criminal history during jury selection. Sullivan intervened repeatedly, telling Reddington, "Why don't we all dial this back a little bit." The judge took the motion to dismiss under advisement and will issue a decision soon. Prosecutors also requested a gag order to limit public statements by attorneys and supporters, a motion Clancy’s lawyers call prior restraint.