President Donald Trump has weighed in on the Lindsay Clancy murder case after a Massachusetts judge officially declared a mistrial following seven days of jury deliberations. Trump called the deaths of Clancy’s three children a “horrible tragedy” and predicted that she would ultimately face consequences, whether in a psychiatric institution or prison. His remarks came shortly after Clancy’s emergency effort to prevent the mistrial was rejected by Massachusetts’ highest court. However, prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue a second trial.
5Trump addressed the closely watched case while answering questions from reporters at the White House on Friday. “It’s hard not to. It’s on television so much,” Trump said when asked whether he had followed the trial. “I followed it pretty much, but it’s a shame. It’s a horrible tragedy.”
The president said he was aware that the jury had remained deadlocked and assumed prosecutors would take the case to trial again. “I assume there’s going to be another trial,” Trump said. “It’s a terrible situation.”
Trump then offered his own assessment of Clancy’s actions and the possible consequences awaiting her. “She did a horrible, horrible thing. Can’t be worse. But you’ll find out what the price to pay is,” he said. “There’ll be a price. It’s going to be a mental institution or jail or something, but I guess they’re going to go through another trial. It’s too bad.”
Trump’s suggestion that another trial will occur remains a prediction. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has said his office has not yet decided whether to retry Clancy.
Judge Declares A Mistrial After Emergency Appeal Fails
5Judge William Sullivan formally declared a mistrial Friday afternoon after the 12 jurors returned to the courtroom. “Members of the jury, at this point, I’m going to declare that the jury is deadlocked and I’m going to declare a mistrial,” Sullivan told the panel.
The jury had deliberated for nearly 40 hours across seven days but remained unable to agree on whether Clancy should be held criminally responsible for killing her children. Before ending the trial, Sullivan gave defense attorney Kevin Reddington one hour to file an emergency request with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Reddington wanted the court to stop Sullivan from declaring a mistrial and sought further examination of the juror he blamed for the deadlock. According to the defense, that juror acknowledged doubt but refused to apply the judge’s instructions on reasonable doubt.
The state’s highest court denied Clancy’s emergency request, allowing Sullivan to move forward with the mistrial. Reddington made one final attempt to persuade Sullivan to investigate and remove the juror, citing a federal constitutional argument and First Circuit precedent. Sullivan again rejected the request. “For reasons, as I stated earlier this morning, that request will be denied,” Sullivan said.
Lindsay Clancy’s Case Remains Unresolved
5Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, faced three first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of her children, Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months. The defense did not dispute that Clancy strangled the children with exercise bands at the family’s Duxbury home on January 24, 2023. Instead, Reddington argued that she should be found not guilty by reason of a lack of criminal responsibility because she was experiencing postpartum psychosis.
Prosecutors acknowledged that Clancy had struggled with her mental health, but they maintained that she understood her actions and knew they were wrong. They argued that she intentionally created an opportunity to be alone with the children by sending her then-husband, Patrick Clancy, to collect medicine and dinner.
The jury’s inability to reach a unanimous decision means the case ended without an acquittal or conviction. A mistrial also does not dismiss the charges against Clancy.
According to the Associated Press, prosecutors may pursue another trial, although Cruz said there would be no immediate announcement.
District Attorney Refuses To Commit To A Retrial
5Speaking outside the courthouse, Cruz told reporters that his office would review the outcome before deciding what happens next. “There will be no decisions made today regarding retrials,” Cruz said, explaining that he would meet with his team and address the case’s future “at the appropriate time and in the context of an official court proceeding.”
Cruz also defended his office’s decision to pursue first-degree murder charges. “The facts are Lindsay Clancy killed her three children, and the evidence suggested to us that she was in control of her actions when she committed those homicides,” he said.
The district attorney rejected the suggestion that the prosecution was intended to resolve the broader public debate surrounding postpartum mental health care. “This case, however, was about Lindsay Clancy and what she did on January 24th, 2023, and the cruel and calculated killing of three innocents,” Cruz said.
When challenged over whether the prosecution had been insensitive to Clancy’s mental health struggles, Cruz responded, “Insensitive is killing three children. Insensitive is ignoring those facts.”
Lindsay Clancy Will Remain At Tewksbury State Hospital
5Clancy will remain at Tewksbury State Hospital while the murder case continues, according to her defense attorney. “Oh, she’s at Tewksbury. She’ll stay at Tewksbury,” Reddington told reporters after the mistrial. The court confirmed that the existing bail orders would remain in effect.
Sullivan also thanked the jurors for their service after the grueling trial, telling them they “should be proud” of the work they performed despite being unable to reach a verdict.
Clancy is expected to return to court on September 29, when the parties will address the case’s next steps. Until prosecutors make their decision, the possibility of a retrial remains open, but it is not yet guaranteed.
