Judge Denies Lindsay Clancy’s Acquittal Motion

A Massachusetts judge on Thursday denied Lindsay Clancy’s renewed request for a required finding of not guilty, ruling that evidence presented at her first trial could allow a rational factfinder to find the elements of murder, including criminal responsibility, beyond a reasonable doubt. The ruling leaves the charges unresolved; it does not determine Clancy’s guilt or establish that she will be retried. Judge William Sullivan said he assessed the evidence in the light most favorable to prosecutors, as required under the standard for the motion. He wrote that physical and circumstantial evidence, along with reasonable inferences, could support a finding on the elements of the charges. Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, argued that prosecutors had not presented sufficient evidence, particularly to establish that she was criminally responsible. Sullivan rejected that argument as well. His ruling described the prosecution’s position as being that Clancy retained substantial capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of her conduct and to conform her actions to the law.