Full Breakdown
Holdout Juror’s Public Statement Highlights Ongoing Debate Over Lindsay Clancy Trial
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The 12-person jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, and Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on September 4, 2026 after roughly 38 hours of deliberation. The deadlock was 11-1, with juror Michael P. Desronvil voting to convict on first-degree murder charges.
Background & Context
Lindsay Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor-and-delivery nurse from Duxbury, Massachusetts, admitted on January 24, 2023 to strangling her three children—Cora, Dawson and infant Callan (8 months). She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing postpartum psychosis. Prosecutors argued the killings were premeditated and that Clancy understood right and wrong. Massachusetts law requires a unanimous jury to find a defendant criminally responsible beyond a reasonable doubt.
Timeline
- January 24, 2023 – Clancy murders her three children.
- August 11, 2026 – Trial testimony continues at Plymouth Superior Court.
- September 3, 2026 – Jury deadlocked at 11-1 after more than 40 hours of deliberation.
- September 4, 2026 – Judge Sullivan declares a mistrial.
- September 13, 2026 – Online fundraiser launched for Desronvil.
- September 17, 2026 – Desronvil’s public statement released.
- September 29, 2026 – Status hearing scheduled to consider next steps.
Data & Statistics
- Jury composition: nine women and three men.
- Deliberation time: approximately 38 hours over seven days.
- Verdict split: 11 jurors favored a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict; 1 juror (Desronvil) voted for conviction.
- Fundraising: the GiveSendGo campaign for Desronvil raised over $285,000 by mid-September.
Official Statements & Responses
- Kevin Reddington, Clancy’s defense attorney, sought to have Desronvil removed, arguing the juror was not applying the law on reasonable doubt; the request was denied.
- Timothy Cruz, Plymouth County District Attorney, has not announced whether a retrial will be pursued, but a hearing on September 29, 2026 will address the case’s status.
Criticism & Opposition
- Roni Carlson, the jury foreperson, told NBC 10 that Desronvil “admitted he had reasonable doubt” yet refused to sign a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Desronvil’s statement claims he “didn’t have any doubts” and that the evidence proved Clancy’s guilt. Other jurors, including Devlin, Carlson and Dargie, say Desronvil acknowledged reasonable doubt but still voted for conviction. Media notes a 2021 domestic-violence charge against Desronvil (later dismissed) and an active restraining order during jury service; the prosecution has not indicated whether these matters will affect future proceedings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn't have any doubts. As I tried to explain different possible theories during deliberation, I kept getting cut off as if I had doubts based on the evidence presented,” — Michael P. Desronvil, via attorney
- “He admitted he had reasonable doubt and I started filling out the forms, I was so excited,” — Roni Carlson
What’s Next
A status hearing on September 29, 2026 will determine whether prosecutors will seek a new trial. If a retrial proceeds, a fresh jury will be selected; otherwise, Clancy remains in the state-run psychiatric facility in Tewksbury while the criminal case stays unresolved.