Full Breakdown
Lindsay Clancy’s Post-Mistrial Hearing: Legal Standoff Over Evidence and Retrial
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 29, 2026, Lindsay Clancy appeared before Plymouth Superior Court judge William Sullivan for a status hearing after a mistrial was declared on September 4. Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, argued that the Commonwealth had not presented sufficient evidence to prove she killed her three children on January 24, 2023. Prosecutors were asked to state whether they intend to retry the case. The judge postponed rulings and set a further hearing for November 2, 2026.
Background & Context
Clancy, 36, a former labor-and-delivery nurse, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. She admitted to the killings at trial but asserted postpartum psychosis as a defense. After six weeks of testimony, the 12-person jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict; the sole holdout juror, Michael Desronvil, prevented unanimity, prompting Judge Sullivan to declare a mistrial.
Data & Statistics
- Jury split: 11 jurors favored a finding of lack of criminal responsibility; 1 juror voted for conviction.
- Deliberations lasted roughly 38 hours over seven days.
- The case involves three victims and three murder counts.
Official Statements & Responses
- “We are going to do what we can for the children,” — Timothy Cruz, county district attorney
- Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham called the defense’s claim of insufficient evidence “laughable” and said the record is “voluminous” in supporting Clancy’s guilt.
- Judge William Sullivan indicated he would take the defense motions under advisement and scheduled the next hearing for November 2; no immediate decision on a new trial date was made.
Criticism & Opposition
- Defense attorney Kevin Reddington contended that “there is not enough evidence that this woman killed those children,” questioning the lack of a confession and the forensic findings.
- Prosecutors countered that DNA and fingerprint evidence on the exercise bands, plus testimony from Clancy’s ex-husband Patrick Clancy, directly link her to the killings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Some outlets reported Reddington’s claim of “no DNA evidence,” while others note that prosecutors presented DNA evidence. The precise status of the forensic results remains unclear.
- The defense’s request for a “limited inquiry” into juror Desronvil’s cellphone use is opposed by the juror’s attorney, who argues such scrutiny would violate juror privacy and the Sixth Amendment. No court ruling on that request is reported.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Where is the admission? Where does she say that she did this?” — Kevin Reddington, attorney
- “People can still have criminal responsibility despite a mental illness,” — Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham, assistant district attorney
What’s Next
The court will reconvene on November 2, 2026 to consider Reddington’s motions—including a Rule 25 “required finding of not guilty,” a double-jeopardy dismissal, and the request to investigate the holdout juror—and to hear any prosecutorial update on whether a retrial on the first-degree murder charges, a reduced charge, or a plea agreement will be pursued.