William Sullivan has indefinitely sealed the names of jurors who served in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, citing safety concerns and intense public attention. The order came after the judge declared a mistrial on September 4, 2026, when jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. The panel was reportedly divided 11-1 over whether Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children. Clancy is scheduled to return to court on September 29 for a status hearing.
| 1) | Judge seals juror names indefinitely |
| 2) | Mistrial follows divided deliberations |
| 3) | Juror explains mental health focus |
| 4) | Future of the murder case remains undecided |
| 5) | Public access weighed against juror safety |
Judge seals juror names indefinitely
Judge William Sullivan issued the order on Monday in Massachusetts, directing that the names of the jurors, alternates and deliberating panel members remain impounded until further order. The court acknowledged that juror names generally must be available to the public, but found a real and present risk of harm if the list were released at this time.
Sullivan cited reports that jurors had been identified and that personal information had been disclosed without permission. Some jurors spoke publicly after the mistrial, while most maintained their anonymity despite requests for comment. The judge said releasing the complete list could result in immediate and irreparable injury.
“The Court concludes that there is a risk of immediate and irreparable injury should the list be made available to the public at this time.”
Mistrial follows divided deliberations
Lindsay Clancy, 36, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children, Cora, Dawson and Callan. The children were found strangled at the family home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, in January 2023.
The trial ended on September 4 when jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The reported 11-1 split reflected a central dispute over whether Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths. The mistrial did not resolve the charges, and prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek a new trial.
Juror explains mental health focus
Paula Devlin, 65, was among the jurors who concluded that Clancy was not criminally responsible. In comments after the mistrial, Devlin rejected allegations that her position reflected bias and said the panel’s deliberations centered on the evidence concerning mental health.
Devlin said she believed there were gaps in the prosecution’s case after reviewing the evidence. She also said the deliberations could help start a broader discussion about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, conditions that were central to the defense and to the jury’s consideration.
“We didn’t know what was going on outside of that room, but we knew that we had a chance to get a conversation started that could change something, that could maybe stop this from ever happening again.”
Future of the murder case remains undecided
Clancy is due back before the court on September 29 for a status hearing. That proceeding could provide more information about the next steps, although the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office has not decided whether to retry the case.
Until prosecutors determine how to proceed, the mistrial leaves the charges unresolved. Any future case would again address the deaths of the three children and the competing arguments over Clancy’s mental state and legal responsibility at the time.
Public access weighed against juror safety
The sealing order reflects the court’s effort to balance public access to criminal proceedings with the safety and privacy of jurors. Sullivan pointed to the unusually divisive attention surrounding the case and the spread of identifying information as reasons to restrict access temporarily.
The order is indefinite rather than permanent. The names will remain impounded unless the court later changes its ruling, allowing the judge to reassess the risk as public attention declines or circumstances develop.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Juror names and personal information will remain impounded indefinitely. |
| 2 | The mistrial was declared after an 11-1 split and no unanimous verdict. |
| 3 | The case centered in part on postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis and criminal responsibility. |
| 4 | A status hearing is scheduled for September 29, 2026. |
Summary
The court has kept the trial jurors’ identities sealed because of reported identification efforts, unauthorized disclosure of personal information and the risk of harm. The mistrial leaves the murder charges against Lindsay Clancy unresolved. The next major development is expected at the September 29 status hearing, while prosecutors consider whether to pursue a retrial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the jurors’ names sealed?
Judge William Sullivan cited safety concerns, unauthorized disclosure of personal information and what he described as significant and divisive attention surrounding the case.
Why was the Lindsay Clancy trial declared a mistrial?
The jury could not reach the unanimous verdict required in the case. The panel was reported to be divided 11-1.
What happens next in the case?
Clancy is scheduled for a status hearing on September 29, 2026. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office has not decided whether to retry her.
