ABSTRACT

A Massachusetts murder trial involving Lindsay Clancy, accused of killing her three children in 2023, ended in mistrial on Friday after a jury deadlocked over seven days of deliberation. Following the mistrial, Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington appealed to President Donald Trump to consider a pardon during a Tuesday morning television interview, while separately, Patrick Clancy's attorney announced threats of legal action against those spreading online conspiracy theories about the ex-husband, who was ruled out as a suspect.

CBC News

Lindsay Clancy murder trial ends in mistrial; defense attorney seeks presidential pardon while ex-husband threatens legal action over online conspiracy theories

Sep 8, 2026, 4:41 PM

Context

Clancy, 36, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder for strangling her children—Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months old—in their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. After the killings, she attempted to take her own life, which left her paralyzed.

The trial centered on competing interpretations of Clancy's mental state. Prosecutors argued she knowingly planned and executed the killings, ensuring her husband Patrick was away from the house to carry out the act. The defense contended she was suffering from postpartum psychosis, a rare mental health condition affecting a new mother's sense of reality, and therefore was not legally responsible for her actions.

After more than 38 hours of jury deliberation, the 12-person jury, composed of nine women and three men, could not reach a unanimous verdict. According to multiple sources, the jury was split 11-to-1 in favor of a not guilty verdict, resulting in the mistrial declaration.

The case is scheduled to return to court on September 29 for a status conference to discuss next steps, including the possibility of a retrial.

The trial drew significant national attention, with millions watching the livestreamed proceedings. President Trump stated on Friday that he was following the case and called it 'a shame' and 'a horrible tragedy,' though he also said Clancy 'did a horrible, horrible thing.'

Reddington's pardon appeal came despite the legal obstacle that Trump's pardon powers apply only to federal crimes, while Clancy faces state-level charges in Massachusetts. The Guardian noted a precedent from June in Colorado, where Democratic Governor Jared Polis released former clerk Tina Peters early from prison after Trump pressured the governor.

Patrick Clancy's attorney Howard Cooper released a statement on Tuesday describing a 'relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign' against his client on social media. Cooper alleged the campaign was 'launched and promoted by minor celebrities, so-called influencers and outright conspiracy theorists' claiming Patrick was involved in the deaths and making other 'vile claims.' Cooper stated law enforcement has been notified and warned there would be 'consequences for those responsible.'

Patrick Clancy's second attorney, David Meier, released a separate statement after the mistrial was declared, saying the loss of his children was 'something from which he will never recover' and that the prospect of another trial was 'extraordinarily painful' for Patrick and his family.

All Perspectives

Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney (Kevin Reddington): Reddington argued that postpartum psychosis compelled Clancy to carry out the killings and therefore she was not legally culpable. He stated the jury was split 11-to-1 in favor of not guilty by insanity. On Tuesday, he appealed to Trump, saying: 'Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady — the type of person she is, what she's been through — and consider a pardon.' When discussing the jury holdout, Reddington said: 'I would defend that individual's right to be a holdout forever; that's part of our judicial system. I respect that and I would certainly defend his right to do that,' but expressed frustration that the holdout 'had doubt but he would not apply reasonable doubt as presented by the judge.' Reddington blamed Clancy's medical team and the system for failing her, stating her psychiatrist had 'only practicing for a month' despite claiming expertise in postpartum depression. He said Clancy 'called suicide hotlines twice' and 'this girl's life was ruined.'

Prosecution: Prosecutors argued that Clancy was aware of her actions and had 'coldly and efficiently executed' the children after planning to do so, including ensuring her husband was out of the house. According to NBC News, the prosecution stated they would 'continue to seek justice' in the Clancy case after the mistrial was declared.

Patrick Clancy (ex-husband): Through his attorney Howard Cooper, Patrick Clancy's position was that the online campaign against him must stop. Cooper stated: 'Over the past months, Patrick Clancy and his family have been subjected to a relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign.' Cooper noted the campaign had resulted in 'real-life threats to Patrick Clancy's reputation, livelihood and life' and that 'this spread of blatant and baseless falsehoods must stop,' with consequences for those responsible and law enforcement notification. Through attorney David Meier, Clancy expressed that 'the loss of Patrick's children is something from which he will never recover and from which there will never be closure' and that 'the prospect of reliving this tragedy through another trial is extraordinarily painful.'

President Donald Trump: When asked about the trial on Friday, Trump called the case 'a shame' and 'a horrible tragedy' and said: 'Look, she did a horrible, horrible thing. Can't be worse. But you'll find out what the price to pay is. There'll be a price. It's going to be mental institution or jail or something.' He noted 'there's going to be another trial.'

Position not represented in the source reporting: Lindsay Clancy herself—her personal statement, perspective on the events, or reaction to the mistrial and pardon appeal is absent from all sources..

Gaps & Unknowns

Whether prosecutors have announced plans or strategy regarding a potential retrial and timeline.
Statements or positions from the presiding judge regarding the next steps or likelihood of retrial.
The identity or public statements from the single juror who held out against the 11-to-1 split.
Details about what specific conspiracy theories or claims have circulated online about Patrick Clancy beyond general allegations.
Whether any named individuals, influencers, or celebrities targeted in Patrick Clancy's defamation threat have responded to the allegations.
Lindsay Clancy's own statement or position on her case, the mistrial, or the pardon appeal; her perspective is presented only through her attorney's arguments.
Details on whether the case will be retried and under what conditions, beyond the September 29 status conference.

Sources & Further Reading

CBC News — original — by Natalie Stechyson
NBC News — by NBC News
The Guardian US — by Oliver Milman
The Independent — by Isabel Keane

Read the original at CBC News

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