Trump Asked to Pardon Lindsay Clancy

Attorney Kevin Reddington confirmed in an interview with ABC that he had asked President Donald Trump to pardon his client, Lindsay Clancy. The 36-year-old Massachusetts mother faces charges of killing her three children in January 2023. Her trial ended in a mistrial last week after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Although the president’s pardon power applies only to federal crimes and Clancy was prosecuted under state law, Trump has taken a broad view of his clemency powers and applied them in some cases tried in state courts.

Asked about the request, the White House referred to Trump’s previous comments on the case. “She did a horrible, horrible thing. Can't be worse”, Trump told reporters after the mistrial was declared. “But you'll find out what the price to pay is. There'll be a price. It's going to be mental institution or jail or something.”

The defense argued at trial that Clancy was not guilty by reason of insanity due to severe postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors maintained that the killings were premeditated. The state can now seek a retrial.

Trump has previously attempted to use his pardon power in a state case. In December, he pardoned former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters, who was convicted of offenses stemming from her efforts to gain unauthorized access to voting equipment while investigating alleged election fraud.

(Reuters, max)