Lindsay Clancy mistrial declared after jury deadlocks in killings of her three children

Mistrial Declared in Massachusetts Trial of Mother Charged with Killing Three Children

Plymouth, Mass. – Judge William Sullivan announced a mistrial Friday in the case of Lindsay Clancy, the former mother of three children who were found dead in her home in Duxbury in January 2023. The decision came after a week of jury deliberations in which the panel failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Clancy, 35, has been charged with first‑degree murder in the deaths of her 5‑year‑old daughter Cora, her 3‑year‑old son Dawson and her 8‑month‑old son Callan. Prosecutors say the children were strangled with exercise bands, while the defense maintains that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis and could not be held criminally responsible.

The mistrial follows a dispute over the alleged 11‑to‑1 split among the 12‑person jury. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington testified that one juror had expressed doubt but had failed to apply the court’s instructions on reasonable doubt. Reddington identified the lone juror as a male, a claim that has not been confirmed.

After the courtroom doors closed, Reddington told reporters outside the Plymouth Superior Court that the “other jurors know that they were robbed—by one man— for whatever his agenda was, who stole seven weeks of the life of these other jurors that were so attentive, so beautiful, so wonderful, and listened to this evidence.” He added, “I hope that guy can sleep well at night.”

The statement drew sharp reactions from the prosecutor’s office. Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said that “it is our job to make sure the victims are not invisible.” He reflected on the tragedy, describing the case as “a hell this entire family has lived through.” The three victims—Cora, Dawson and Callan—were found inside the house on January 24, 2023, after Clancy was discovered injured outside the home. The older children died that night; Callan was taken to a hospital and died days later.

Clancy survived the attacks, but she was left paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair after a fall from a second‑story window during the incident. Her former husband, Patrick Clancy, testified that he had been out running errands, including picking up stool softener at CVS, when Clancy called him to say she was “in a bad place” and that “she had to do something.”

The defense’s case hinged on a claim of postpartum psychosis. Psychiatric experts testified about Clancy’s mental health history, citing a series of treatments, medications and symptoms including anxiety, depression and insomnia that had escalated in the months before the killings. Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist, described Clancy as “almost like a puppet” whose body was taken over by an external force. He said that she reported hearing a male voice that commanded her to kill her children.

Prosecutors countered with evidence suggesting premeditation. Forensic psychiatrist Gregory Saathoff noted that Clancy had never reported hearing voices prior to the incident. He said the voice, according to her testimony, stopped abruptly as she strangled her youngest son. Saathoff also pointed out that Clancy had deliberately arranged the situation to be alone with the children, implying intent.

Family members also testified, expressing concern over Clancy’s deteriorating mental state. Susan Clancy, Lindsay’s mother‑in‑law, recalled seeing her daughter “very nurturing” and “wonderful” but worried after the holidays of 2022 when Lindsay complained of severe insomnia. Paula Musgrove, Lindsay’s mother, sent a text on October 20, 2022 pleading for help: “Mom, will you please come up and stay with me for a bit? I’m really sick. Something is wrong. I had horrible insomnia all night, and I just don’t know how I am going to get through the day. It’s just really scary, and I don’t want to be alone.”

The mistrial came after Clancy’s attorneys filed an emergency appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, seeking to stay the mistrial and investigate the alleged juror. Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt denied the request on Friday afternoon, clearing the way for Judge Sullivan to declare the mistrial.

Sullivan indicated that a retrial would be preferable “sooner rather than later” and suggested the case could be heard again in the fall. Clancy remains in custody under the same bail conditions that were in place before the mistrial. She is scheduled to appear in court on September 29 for a status hearing, trial assignment and a Rule 25 motion.

The case remains a stark illustration of the complexities that arise when mental illness intersects with criminal law. While a mistrial means the prosecution can seek a new trial, no decision has yet been announced about whether the state will proceed. The next steps will depend on the outcome of the status hearing and the court’s assessment of whether Clancy can be tried again with the same evidence and witnesses.