Lindsay Clancy verdict still within reach – retired Massachusetts judge pushes back on hung-jury predictions

Judge Urges Jury to Continue Deliberations in Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial

A jury that has spent more than 23 hours over four days weighing the evidence in the murder case of Lindsay Clancy has sent a dead‑lock note to the court, but a judge in the case has instructed the jurors to return to the bench and continue their deliberations. The trial, which is being held in a Maine state court, is still in progress and no mistrial has been declared.

The Case at Hand

Lindsay Clancy, 36, stands accused of killing her three children—Cora (4), Dawson (3) and Callan (2)—who were found strangled in the family’s home in January 2023. The prosecution has brought three counts of first‑degree murder against Clancy, arguing that the killings were premeditated and intentional. The defense has presented a variety of arguments, including potential mental health issues and an insanity defense.

During the trial, jurors considered a range of outcomes: first‑degree murder, second‑degree murder, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict, or a not‑guilty verdict. The case has attracted considerable public interest because of its emotional intensity and the small ages of the victims.

The Dead‑Lock Note and Judge Sullivan’s Response

After four days of deliberations, the jury sent a written note to the judge on Tuesday, stating that they were “unable to come to a unanimous decision.” Judge William Sullivan, who is presiding over the case, read the note aloud in court and directed the jurors to return to deliberation:

“I brought you back out because I know that this was a long trial. All right, I know there were over 80 witnesses. There were over 300 exhibits. Because of that, I'm going to ask you to go back out, keeping in mind all of the instructions that I gave you to go out and to continue your deliberations at this time. All right. And so with that, I'm going to ask you to go back out. Like I said, keep in mind the instructions I gave you reviewing the evidence, and I'd ask you to, resume your deliberations at this time.”

Sullivan also noted that no Tuey‑Rodriguez charge—a procedural instruction used in Massachusetts to encourage jurors to keep deliberating toward a unanimous verdict—was issued, describing it as “150 % correct” for the time being.

Retired Judge Jack Lu’s Perspective

Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Jack Lu weighed in on the situation, telling reporters that a dead‑lock note does not automatically signal a mistrial. He emphasized that, particularly in emotionally charged cases, juries sometimes report a dead‑lock early on and later reach a unanimous verdict:

“It is common for juries that eventually reach a verdict, especially in highly emotional cases, to initially report that they are deadlocked. So you could see a unanimous verdict later in this case. There should be no rush to judgment.”

Judge Lu further highlighted the importance of the jury’s deliberation process:

“These jurors are deciding a difficult, difficult, difficult societal issue. No future jury and nobody else is going to be in a better position to decide these issues. It's a critical public service.”

He added that it was still early to predict whether the jury would ultimately reach a hung verdict and that the deliberations could continue for a longer period.

Next Steps

The jury is scheduled to reconvene in the courtroom at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning to continue their deliberations. The court has not issued any further orders, and no decision has been made on whether a mistrial will be declared. The trial will continue until a verdict is reached, or until a mistrial is declared if the jury remains dead‑locked.

Community Response

The case has drawn a large public response, with many people expressing grief and anger over the loss of the children. Community members and advocacy groups have called for a swift and fair resolution, while also emphasizing the importance of a thorough deliberation process. The legal community is watching closely, as the outcome may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.

For updates on the Lindsay Clancy trial, follow Maine News Now or check the court docket for official filings.