Full Breakdown
Defense Motions Target Holdout Juror After Lindsay Clancy Mistrial
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Mistrial and Defense Motions to Investigate Holdout Juror
A Massachusetts jury declared a mistrial on September 4 after an 11-to-1 deadlock over the guilt of Lindsay Clancy, charged with murdering her three children. The sole juror voting for conviction, Michael Desronvil, became the focus of two motions filed by Clancy’s defense. Attorney Kevin Reddington asked Judge William Sullivan to examine Desronvil’s cell-phone metadata, questionnaire answers, and testimony. Attorney Martin Weinberg seeks dismissal of the case, arguing the mistrial was improper and a retrial would violate double-jeopardy.
Background and Context
Clancy, a former labor-and-delivery nurse, admitted strangling her children—Cora (5), Dawson (3) and Callan (8 months)—in January 2023 and later attempted suicide. Her defense claimed severe postpartum psychosis negated criminal intent. Psychologists testified on her mental health. Eleven jurors found the evidence insufficient for conviction; Desronvil maintained the opposite view.
Official Statements & Responses
The motions, filed on Friday and released on September 21, request preservation of juror questionnaires, jury notes, and any surveillance video from the jury-room corridor, and a “limited inquiry” into Desronvil’s conduct. Reddington also seeks Desronvil’s phone records for each deliberation day (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
Prosecutor Timothy Cruz declined comment. The judge has impounded the questionnaires and related records but has not ruled on the requests.
Weinberg’s motion argues the judge should have replaced the holdout juror with an alternate after the foreperson reported Desronvil refused to follow instructions on reasonable doubt.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Contrary to the court’s stated believe at the time, it did have viable choices other than declaring a mistrial,” — Martin Weinberg
- “Reddington's motion is actually a full-frontal attack on the U.S. Constitution,” — Edward Paltzik, attorney
- “The jury twice informed the Court that one of its members was refusing to apply the Court's instructions regarding the fundamental concept of reasonable doubt,” — Martin Weinberg
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The defense alleges Desronvil may have used a cell phone during deliberations, a violation of Massachusetts law, and that his questionnaire responses might be untruthful. No juror has been formally accused of misconduct, and no independent evidence of phone use has been presented. Some jurors claim Desronvil “scrolling on his phone” distracted him; others dispute the claim. The court has not determined whether such conduct, if proven, would affect the mistrial’s validity.
Timeline
- August 27 – Defense filing requests phone records covering deliberations.
- September 4 – Jury declares mistrial after an 11-1 deadlock.
- September 21 – Motions to investigate the holdout juror and to dismiss the case become public.
- September 29 (scheduled) – Hearing on the motions.
What’s Next
Judge Sullivan is expected to hear arguments on September 29. The district attorney’s office has not announced whether it will seek a retrial. Clancy remains incarcerated in a psychiatric facility while the legal proceedings continue.