Full Breakdown
Lindsay Clancy Returns to Court After Mistrial: Motions, Evidence Debate, and Uncertain Future
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – September 29 2026 Status Hearing
On September 29 2026, Lindsay Clancy appeared before Plymouth Superior Court for the first hearing since Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on September 4. The hour-long proceeding addressed a Rule 25 motion for a not-guilty finding and a double-jeopardy motion to dismiss the murder charges. Sullivan postponed rulings and set a follow-up hearing for November 2. No decision on a retrial was made.
Background & Context
Clancy, 36, a former labor-and-delivery nurse, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children—Cora, Dawson and infant Callan—who were strangled with exercise bands on January 24 2023. She later attempted suicide, leaving her partially paralyzed. At trial the defense argued postpartum psychosis rendered her not criminally responsible; prosecutors said she acted deliberately. After roughly 38 hours of deliberation, the 12-person jury deadlocked, with eleven jurors favoring a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and one holdout juror, Michael Desronvil, insisting on conviction. Sullivan declared a mistrial.
Data & Statistics
- Victims: Cora, Dawson, Callan (8 months)
- Date of killings: January 24 2023
- Jury split: 11 for acquittal by insanity, 1 against
- Deliberation time: ~38 hours over seven days
- Mistrial declaration: September 4 2026
- Next hearing: November 2
Official Statements & Responses
“We’ll continue to do our job and make sure we do what’s best for the interest of justice and the three children.” — District Attorney Tim Cruz. Judge Sullivan said he would take the Rule 25 and double-jeopardy motions “under advisement.” Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham called the defense’s new evidentiary argument “laughable” and said the Commonwealth presented “voluminous” evidence linking Clancy to the killings. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued that prosecutors “did not prove” Clancy’s guilt and that the case “is based on speculation.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The dispute centers on evidence sufficiency. Reddington maintains there’s no admission from Clancy and calls the investigation “woefully deficient.” Buckingham counters that the record is “voluminous” in supporting the state’s case. The DA’s office has not clarified whether a retrial will be pursued.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This entire case is based on speculation.” — Kevin Reddington
- “I suggest to you that the entire record is voluminous as to the information supporting the fact that she did this.” — Shanan Buckingham
- “We’re doing a very thorough review right now. And we’re going to continue to do our job and make sure we do what’s best for the interest of justice and the interest of the three children.” — Tim Cruz
What’s Next
The court will reconvene on November 2 to consider the pending motions, including the double-jeopardy dismissal and a limited inquiry into juror Michael Desronvil. If the Commonwealth opts to retry Clancy, prosecutors may pursue the original first-degree murder charges, seek a reduced charge, or explore a plea agreement. The timing of any retrial remains undetermined.