Full Breakdown
Judge Denies Required Not-Guilty Finding After Mistrial in Lindsay Clancy Murder Case
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 1 2026, Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan rejected defense attorney Kevin Reddington’s post-mistrial motion for a “required finding of not guilty.” The motion sought a declaration that the Commonwealth had failed to prove Lindsay Clancy, 36, responsible for the deaths of her three children—Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and infant Callan, 8 months—strangled with exercise bands in the family’s Duxbury home on January 24 2023. Sullivan wrote that the prosecution’s physical and circumstantial evidence was sufficient for a rational trier of fact to find murder beyond a reasonable doubt.
Background & Context
Clancy’s first trial ended in a mistrial on September 4 2026 after a 12-member jury deadlocked 11-1. Eleven jurors favored a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity (Massachusetts “lack of criminal responsibility”), while one juror voted to convict. Throughout the trial Clancy did not dispute that she had killed the children; her defense centered on postpartum psychosis.
Data & Statistics
- January 24 2023 – Date of the children’s deaths.
- September 4 2026 – Mistrial declared after a deadlocked jury.
- September 29 2026 – First post-mistrial hearing; defense renewed the motion.
- October 1 2026 – Judge Sullivan’s written denial.
- November 2 2026 – Scheduled hearing for pending motions and a possible retrial date.
Official Statements & Responses
Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham called the defense’s argument “laughable” and said the record is “voluminous” in establishing Clancy’s guilt. He also raised concerns about the police investigation and the holdout juror’s conduct.
Criticism & Opposition
Assistant District Attorney Buckingham warned the defense was attempting to rewrite the evidentiary record after the trial. Legal analyst David Rossman, emeritus professor at Boston University, noted the double-jeopardy motion will likely be appealed regardless of the outcome.
What’s Next
Judge Sullivan has postponed rulings on several pending motions—including the double-jeopardy claim and a request to investigate the lone holdout juror—until the November 2 2026 hearing. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has not announced whether the Commonwealth will seek a retrial, pursue lesser offenses, or negotiate a plea. Clancy remains incarcerated at a state psychiatric hospital while the case proceeds.
Verbatim Quotes
- “For the first time, the defendant is arguing that there is no evidence she did this,” — Prosecutor Shanan Buckingham
- “Where is the admission? Where does she say that she did this?” — Kevin Reddington, defense attorney
- “Either side's going to appeal whichever way the double jeopardy motion gets decided,” — David Rossman, Boston University emeritus professor