Judge Rejects Bid to Remove Juror in Lindsay Clancy Trial

The judge in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial refused to dismiss a juror whom her attorney accused of blocking a unanimous verdict. The 12-member jury ended its sixth day of deliberations on Thursday and will return on Friday.

The jury foreperson sent a note to the court that was not read aloud. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington said it indicated that one juror was refusing to follow the judge’s instructions on reasonable doubt, while the other 11 had reached a decision.

Judge William Sullivan declined to intervene, saying it would be improper for him to side with one juror or the other 11. The jury had already informed the court on Tuesday and Wednesday that it was unable to reach a unanimous decision.

If the jury remains deadlocked and Sullivan declares a mistrial, prosecutors will have to decide whether to retry the case. The six-week trial has included more than 80 witnesses and more than 300 exhibits.

Clancy, 36, has admitted that in January 2023 she strangled her three children – five-year-old Cora, three-year-old Dawson and eight-month-old Callan – with exercise bands. She then cut herself with a knife and jumped from a second-story window in an attempt to take her own life, leaving her paralyzed.

The defense argues that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis when she killed the children. Prosecutors acknowledge her mental health problems but maintain that she understood the wrongfulness of her actions.

Clancy faces life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. If found not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility, she could be committed to a state psychiatric hospital for evaluation.

(Reuters, bak)