Full Breakdown
Defense Motion to Probe Holdout Juror in Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 4, Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case after the 12-person jury deadlocked 11-1 on a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The sole juror who voted for conviction, Michael Desronvil, is now the focus of a motion filed by Clancy’s lead defense attorney, Kevin Reddington. The motion seeks a court-ordered investigation into Desronvil’s use of a mobile phone during the seven days of deliberations, the accuracy of his pre-trial questionnaire answers, and any relevant background information, including a 2021 domestic-violence allegation. Reddington asks that the court obtain call- and text-detail records for each deliberation day (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) and that a “neutral examiner” review the phone. The request will be heard at the September 29 hearing.
Background & Context
Clancy, a former labor-and-delivery nurse, pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder for the January 2023 strangulation deaths of her children—Callan (8 months), Dawson and Cora. Her defense argued she suffered postpartum psychosis and lacked criminal responsibility; prosecutors maintained she acted with intent. After five weeks of testimony, the jury could not reach unanimity, prompting the mistrial.
Judge Sullivan issued an indefinite impoundment order sealing jurors’ names and questionnaires, citing the national attention the case has attracted. He warned that unauthorized disclosures could cause “immediate and irreparable injury” to jurors and the integrity of their service.
Key Figures & Groups
- Kevin Reddington – Lead defense attorney for Lindsay Clancy.
- Michael Desronvil – The lone juror who voted to convict; represented by Edward Paltzik.
- Edward Paltzik – Attorney for Desronvil, critic of the motion.
- William Sullivan – Plymouth Superior Court judge overseeing the trial.
- Nick Dargie – Juror who described Desronvil’s phone use.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge Sullivan affirmed that the court may still grant access to the parties for sealed review. He contended that any violation could undermine the fairness of the trial process.
Criticism & Opposition
Legal scholars warn that probing a juror after a hung jury could erode juror privacy and discourage candid deliberation. Attorney Martin Weinberg, also on Clancy’s team, argued the judge had alternatives to a mistrial and that the holdout juror should have been replaced once the foreperson reported his refusal to apply the reasonable-doubt standard.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There was times he wouldn't engage, like he'd be scrolling on his phone while people are talking to him, things like that, where he's just not paying attention,” — Nick Dargie
- “Reddington's motion is actually a full-frontal attack on the U.S. Constitution,” — Edward Paltzik
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether jurors were instructed to surrender phones before deliberations. The extent of Desronvil’s alleged prior domestic-violence incident remains unverified, as the motion seeks records not yet disclosed.
What’s Next
The court will consider Reddington’s motion at the September 29 hearing. Pending that decision, the prosecution has not indicated whether it will pursue a retrial. Judge Sullivan’s impoundment order remains in effect, limiting public access to juror identities and questionnaire responses.