PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — The jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial concluded its sixth day of deliberations without reaching a verdict on Thursday. The jury's foreperson informed the judge that one juror was not adhering to the court's instructions regarding reasonable doubt. The details of the conflict among jurors were not disclosed, but it was indicated that a single juror may be obstructing a verdict regarding Clancy's criminal responsibility for the deaths of her three children.
The jury is scheduled to reconvene on Friday to continue deliberations. Prior to dismissing the jury, the judge denied a defense request to remove one juror following discussions among the parties involved. Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, has admitted to strangling her children in 2023 but claims that postpartum psychosis influenced her actions. Prosecutors contend that she was aware of her actions when she killed her children, aged 5, 3, and 8 months.
The trial has attracted significant public interest, with many reporters and spectators attending. It has also raised discussions about maternal mental health issues. The jury has previously indicated difficulty in reaching a consensus, but this is the first instance of reported tension during deliberations.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington stated that the jury foreperson sent another note expressing concerns about the juror's refusal to follow legal instructions. Judge William Sullivan responded by questioning each juror individually and reiterating the instructions on reasonable doubt before allowing them to continue deliberating. Reddington expressed concern that the jury's deadlock could lead to a mistrial due to the noncompliance of the juror.
Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague supported the judge's decision to maintain the current jury composition. Judge Sullivan emphasized the sensitivity of removing a juror during deliberations, stating that he could not favor one side over the other.
For the first time during the trial, Clancy was present for a sidebar conversation with the judge. Clancy, who is paralyzed from the waist down due to a suicide attempt, was brought to the front of the courtroom in a wheelchair. Reddington noted that Clancy has the right to be informed about the proceedings.
Signs of a potential hung jury emerged earlier in the week when the judge informed the courtroom that jurors were struggling to reach an agreement. He advised jurors to consider differing opinions and to reassess their views if necessary.
If the jury cannot reach a verdict, the judge may declare a mistrial, prompting prosecutors to decide whether to retry Clancy, drop the charges, or negotiate a plea deal. If convicted, Clancy could face charges of murder or manslaughter, while an acquittal could still result in confinement to a mental health facility if deemed a danger to the public.
Throughout the trial, Clancy has received numerous letters of support, according to her defense attorney. Testimonies from family and medical professionals highlighted her declining mental health prior to the incidents, with differing expert opinions on her psychiatric state at the time of the killings. Patrick Clancy, her ex-husband, has publicly expressed forgiveness towards her, viewing her actions as a result of illness rather than malice.