Clancy Seeks Dismissal After Jury Deadlock

Lindsay Clancy returned to court in Massachusetts on November 2 as her lawyers asked a judge to dismiss the murder charges against her, arguing that a second trial would violate her protection against double jeopardy. Prosecutors oppose the request, and the judge’s ruling could determine whether the case proceeds. The motion follows a mistrial declared September 4, when jurors in Clancy’s first trial were unable to reach a verdict. The trial concerned the deaths of her three children in January 2023. Clancy’s lawyers have argued that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible. Prosecutors have said she acted deliberately and understood her actions were wrong. At the hearing before Judge William Sullivan, defense attorney Martin G. Weinberg argued the judge should have investigated further after the jury foreperson sent notes indicating a juror was not following the court’s instructions. The defense says further questioning of the foreperson or the holdout juror could have established grounds to remove that juror and allow deliberations to continue, avoiding a mistrial. During the trial, Sullivan questioned jurors individually, reminded them of...