Lindsay Clancy attorney Kevin Reddington signals he's open to a deal, hopes DA will 'revisit' case

Plymouth County Mistrial Leaves Lindsay Clancy’s Case Undetermined as Prosecutor and Defense Debate Next Steps

Plymouth County, Maine – The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her three children, ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The decision, made by Judge William Sullivan on Friday, leaves the prosecution and defense poised to decide whether to seek a plea agreement or schedule a new trial.

Mistrial after a Deadlock

The jury that heard Clancy’s case on Monday and Tuesday was split 11‑1. While the majority found the evidence sufficient to convict, the lone holdout expressed doubt about the prosecution’s claims but said he would not apply the judge’s instructions on reasonable doubt. Judge Sullivan ruled the jury’s inability to reach consensus meant the case could not proceed, and he declared a mistrial.

The decision means the case is effectively paused. Prosecutor Tim Cruz, the Plymouth County District Attorney, has yet to announce whether he will seek another trial or consider a plea bargain.

Attorney’s Reversal on Plea Negotiations

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington, who has represented Clancy for over three decades, told Good Morning America on Tuesday that he is “open to a plea deal” and hopes the district attorney will “revisit” the issue. “I’m willing to listen to Tim. I’ve known him for 30 years. He’s a very hard‑charging prosecutor,” Reddington said. “I hope, however, after sitting through this trial and seeing the evidence that was presented from the government as well as from the defense, that he would revisit that issue and hopefully be able to work something out that would be acceptable to both sides.”

Reddington also said he had previously stated that prosecutors were not open to a plea agreement. “There’s no plea bargaining, there’s nothing Cruz wants, his triple homicide convictions, consecutive life sentences,” he said. He added that he was open to “bringing it” if the possibility of a retrial emerged.

A Holdout Jury Member and the Question of Reasonable Doubt

Reddington expressed frustration over the lone holdout’s refusal to apply the judge’s instructions on reasonable doubt. “What I was upset about was… he had doubt, but he would not apply the law of reasonable doubt as presented by the judge. That’s not right,” he explained. “I would defend that individual’s right to be a holdout for forever. That’s part of our judicial system. And I respect that.”

The juror’s stance underscores a rare instance of a single juror’s decision to impede a verdict, prompting the judge’s mistrial declaration.

Patrick Clancy’s Defense on Defamation

Patrick Clancy, father of the victims and the client of attorney Howard Cooper, issued a statement to Fox News Digital on Tuesday. Cooper said that “Patrick Clancy and his family have been the target of a relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign.” He accused “minor celebrities, so‑called influencers and outright conspiracy theorists” of spreading falsehoods that Patrick was involved in the deaths of his children. “Enough is enough. Those responsible should understand that there will be consequences,” Cooper warned. “We will pursue every appropriate measure, including legal action.”

Cooper also stated that law enforcement had been notified of the defamation allegations.

Next Steps

Judge Sullivan set a status hearing for September 29, where the parties may discuss whether to file motions for dismissal or seek a new trial. Prosecutor Cruz has not yet indicated his position, and it remains unclear whether he will push for another trial or negotiate a plea. The outcome will depend on the evidence, the willingness of both sides to compromise, and the court’s assessment of whether a retrial is appropriate after the mistrial.

The case continues to capture public attention, not only for its tragic nature but also for the legal questions it raises about jury deliberation, the possibility of plea agreements after a mistrial, and the impact of social media on the families involved. As the court moves forward, the outcome will shape how the criminal justice system handles similarly complex and emotionally charged cases in Maine.