Full Breakdown
Holdout Juror Michael Desronvil Speaks Out Amid Mistrial and Fundraising Surge
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial
The trial of Lindsay Clancy, a 36-year-old Massachusetts mother charged with three counts of first-degree murder, ended in a mistrial on September 4 after the 12-person jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Nine women and three men deliberated for roughly 38 hours over seven days, deadlocking 11-1 in favor of a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict. The lone juror who voted to convict, Michael Desronvil, 48, prevented unanimity, prompting Judge William Sullivan to declare a mistrial.
Background & Context
Clancy’s defense argued she acted while experiencing severe postpartum psychosis, claiming a lack of criminal responsibility. Prosecutors maintained the killings were pre-meditated, citing physical evidence and witness testimony. The case, which began with jury selection on July 20, has drawn national attention to mental-health defenses in homicide cases.
Data & Statistics
- Jury composition: nine women, three men.
- Deliberation time: approximately 38 hours across seven days.
- Fundraising totals for the holdout juror: reports range from $286,000 to $329,000, aiming toward a $350,000 goal.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Sullivan later noted, “There have been threats made to at least one juror,” reflecting concerns for juror safety.
Paltzik added, “We are focused entirely on his health, safety, and well-being,” and urged the public to “please respect his dignity, humanity, and privacy.”
Criticism & Opposition
Former juror Paula Devlin described Desronvil as “arrogant” and said he “refused to follow the law.” Juror Nick Dargie recalled repeatedly asking Desronvil to cite evidence, noting, “He couldn’t.” These comments highlight internal friction during deliberations and have fueled media scrutiny of the holdout’s motives.
On-the-Ground Reports
After the mistrial, Desronvil’s identity was disclosed in court records, leading to doxxing, death threats, and harassment of his family. A GiveSendGo fundraiser titled “Support the Juror” was launched, with donors contributing amounts from $5 to $10,000. The campaign states the funds will cover “security, lawyers and lost work” for the juror.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact amount raised, reporting figures of $286,000, “nearly $300,000,” and $329,000. No official statement from the prosecution confirms whether a retrial will be pursued, and the next hearing date remains undisclosed. While multiple jurors have spoken about Desronvil’s behavior, the precise nature of the alleged threats is unverified beyond the judge’s general statement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Lone Juror is being added to the campaign as the recipient. His identity has been verified,” — Jacob Wells, GiveSendGo co-founder
- “We are focused entirely on his health, safety, and well-being,” — Edward Paltzik
- “There have been threats made to at least one juror,” — William Sullivan
- “Please respect his dignity, humanity, and privacy,” — Edward Paltzik