A deadlocked jury returns on Friday for the seventh day of deliberations in the Lindsay Clancy trial, a day after the jury's foreperson told the judge a single juror won't follow the court's instructions about reasonable doubt. The extraordinary disclosure made Thursday in the form of a note delivered to the judge offered the clearest glimpse yet of what may be keeping jurors from reaching a verdict on whether the Massachusetts mother is criminally responsible for killing her three children. The jury has twice told Judge William Sullivan that it is unable to agree on a verdict.
On Thursday, Sullivan brought in each juror individually and questioned them in private. The judge then reread his instructions on reasonable doubt before sending them back to continue deliberating. Over 21 days of testimony, the jury heard from dozens of witnesses, including doctors, first responders, relatives and even Clancy’s former husband.
If convicted, Clancy's sentence could be as severe as life in prison. If found not guilty, she may be released or remain confined in a mental health facility. If the jury is unable to reach a verdict, the judge could declare a mistrial.
Before sending the deadlocked jury home Thursday, Judge William Sullivan declined a defense request to remove one of the jurors following heated discussions from both sides. Earlier, the jury's foreperson sent the judge a note saying a single juror won’t follow the court’s instructions about reasonable doubt. Details of the jury room conflict weren’t revealed and only briefly discussed in open court, but it raised the possibility that a single holdout was standing in the way of a verdict.
Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington said the juror should have been dismissed from the case. Sullivan said removing a deliberating juror is a sensitive undertaking. The judge questioned each juror individually in private, then reread his instructions about reasonable doubt in court.
Reddington said afterward outside the courthouse that the juror would be questioned again by the judge Friday. Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague said in court that she believed Sullivan’s instruction was appropriate and no further action was necessary. Jurors have struggled to agree on a verdict Jurors have sent notes to the judge at least three times since they began deliberating Aug. 27.
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