Full Breakdown
Lindsay Clancy’s Post-Mistrial Legal Battle
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The Current Motion: Asking the Court to Dismiss the Murder Charges
On September 29, 2026, defense attorney Kevin Reddington filed a Rule 25(b)(2) motion in Plymouth Superior Court, arguing that the Commonwealth failed to present legally sufficient evidence that Lindsay Clancy killed her three children. He urged Judge William Sullivan to enter a finding of not guilty on all three first-degree murder counts. Sullivan has postponed a ruling and scheduled a hearing on November 2, 2026 to consider the motion, a double-jeopardy dismissal request, and a petition to investigate the lone holdout juror.
Background & Context
In January 2023, three children—Cora, Dawson and infant Callan—were found strangled with exercise bands in the family home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The first trial began July 20, 2026, focusing on whether postpartum psychosis excused criminal responsibility. After three weeks of deliberation, the jury deadlocked on September 4, 2026, prompting a mistrial.
Timeline
- January 2023 – Children’s deaths.
- July 20, 2026 – Trial begins.
- September 4, 2026 – Mistrial declared after an 11-1 split.
- September 29, 2026 – Defense files motion asserting lack of evidence.
- November 2, 2026 – Hearing on the motion and related issues.
Data & Statistics
- Jury composition: 12 jurors; 11 voted not criminally responsible, one juror (Michael Desronvil) voted for conviction.
- Prosecution highlights: DNA from the bands matched Clancy; testimony from ex-husband Patrick Clancy; hospital records showing Clancy’s lack of memory.
- Defense counterpoints: challenges to DNA and fingerprint evidence; no admission by Clancy; criticism of the police investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
- Judge William Sullivan declined to set a new trial date, noting that both parties need more time to resolve pending motions before a schedule can be fixed.
Criticism & Opposition
Legal analyst Jennifer Roman (WBZ-TV) called the shift in strategy “really bizarre.” Retired judge Carol Erskine called it “a total surprise.” Attorneys for the holdout juror, led by Edward Paltzik, plan to file a bar complaint, arguing that Reddington’s motion to investigate the juror violates the Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury.
On-the-Ground Reports
Courtroom observers noted Reddington repeatedly asking, “Where is the evidence that she did this?” Supporters of Clancy gathered outside the courthouse in pink shirts, while reporters described a “chaotic” atmosphere as the attorney fielded media questions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Defense: No admissible admission; DNA and fingerprint evidence insufficient.
- Prosecution: DNA matches Clancy; ex-husband testimony and hospital statements corroborate guilt.
- No public decision yet on whether the Commonwealth will pursue a retrial; both sides await the November 2 hearing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Where is the evidence that she did this?” — Kevin Reddington
- “We're hearing now for the first time in this argument that counsel is challenging first the sufficiency of the evidence as it applies to the three counts of murder,” — Shanan Buckingham, assistant district attorney
- “It's really bizarre to me that he's completely changed his entire strategy and approach to this case, after the fact, on something as substantive as whether or not she actually killed the children,” — Jennifer Roman, WBZ-TV legal analyst
- “There is not enough evidence that this woman killed those children,” — Kevin Reddington
What’s Next
The court will address the Rule 25 motion, the double-jeopardy dismissal request, and the petition to scrutinize juror Michael Desronvil at the November 2, 2026 hearing. Neither side has set a date for a potential retrial, and both have indicated they need additional time to evaluate the outstanding motions before any further proceedings.