Holdout Juror’s Stance Fuels Mistrial in Lindsay Clancy Triple-Murder Case

On September 4, Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in the trial of former labor-and-delivery nurse Lindsay Clancy. After seven days of deliberations, juror Michael P. Desronvil refused to join the eleven jurors prepared to find Clancy not criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children, leaving the first-degree murder charges unresolved.

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Clancy admitted in January 2023 to strangling her children—Cora, Dawson and infant Callan (8 months)—at their Duxbury, Massachusetts home. Her defense argued postpartum psychosis removed criminal responsibility; prosecutors maintained she acted with intent and planning. The trial, which began in late August 2026, featured extensive medical and toxicology evidence and roughly 40 hours of testimony before the deadlock.

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• August 27: Defense attorney Kevin Reddington presented his closing argument.

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• September 3: Public and reporters observed the trial from the gallery.

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• September 4: Judge Sullivan declared a mistrial after the jury sent notes indicating a deadlock centered on the holdout juror.

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• September 29 (scheduled): Status hearing in Plymouth Superior Court before Judge Sullivan.

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• Jury deliberated for seven days, nearly 40 hours.

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• An online fundraiser raised more than $350,000 to support Desronvil after the trial.

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• Desronvil, 48, faced a criminal charge for alleged assault on his then-wife in September 2021; the charge was dismissed in December 2021.

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• Jury composition: 12 members; eleven voted for a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict, Desronvil voted for conviction.

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Attorney Edward Paltzik, representing Desronvil, said his client “had zero doubt” that Clancy was criminally responsible and cited “a mountain of evidence.” District Attorney Tim Cruz described the first-degree murder charges as “warranted and appropriate,” emphasizing justice for the child victims.

Newsweek

Clancy’s defense, led by Kevin Reddington and Martin Weinberg, filed motions seeking a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity finding and invoking double-jeopardy, arguing the mistrial lacked “manifest necessity.” The defense also requested a judicial inquiry into Desronvil’s background and possible juror misconduct.

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Desronvil, through Paltzik, said he “did not have any doubts” and that his attempts to present alternative theories were repeatedly cut off. The jury foreperson told NBC10 Boston that Desronvil had acknowledged reasonable doubt but refused to apply the insanity standard. Other jurors described him as “very arrogant” and claimed he spent time scrolling on his phone during deliberations.

Newsweek

Sources differ on whether Desronvil explicitly acknowledged reasonable doubt. The foreperson’s account suggests he did, while Desronvil’s statement, as presented by his attorney, denies any doubt. No independent verification of the juror’s cellphone activity or questionnaire responses has been released.

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• “Michael had zero doubt. No doubt,” — Edward Paltzik

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• “A lot of evidence, a mountain of evidence,” — Edward Paltzik

New York Post

• “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

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• “In the end, I bring it all back to the child victims in this case – Cora, Dawson, and Callan,” — Tim Cruz

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The September 29 status conference will address the defense’s motions, including the double-jeopardy claim and the juror inquiry. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will seek a retrial; the hearing will determine if a new trial date will be set or if the case may be dismissed.

Boston Herald