Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial ended in a mistrial after jurors reportedly failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the deaths of her three children. A fellow juror said the lone holdout used an exercise band and an empty water bottle to demonstrate how the children were strangled. The juror also said the holdout could not identify evidence or testimony supporting his position. A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29, while Clancy’s defense is considering a new motion to dismiss.
Clancy, 36, faces three counts of first-degree murder connected to the January 2023 deaths of her children, Cora, Dawson and Callan, at the family’s home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. She has pleaded not guilty.
| 1) | Juror describes demonstration during deliberations |
| 2) | Mistrial follows reported 11-1 split |
| 3) | Holdout reportedly provided no supporting evidence |
| 4) | Defense considers a double-jeopardy motion |
| 5) | Next steps remain unresolved in the case |
Juror describes demonstration during deliberations
Nick Dargie, 25, said the holdout juror attempted to mimic the alleged killings during deliberations. According to Dargie, the juror took an exercise band from a bag, tied it around an empty water bottle and pulled the band to illustrate the mechanics of strangulation.
Dargie said the demonstration occurred inside the jury room after the panel had spent days considering the evidence in the Plymouth Superior Court case. He described the moment as shocking and said he questioned why the juror was using objects to recreate the events rather than relying on testimony and exhibits presented at trial.
“He took the exercise band out of the bag, grabbed an empty water bottle and tied the band around the water bottle and pulled it,” Dargie said.
Mistrial follows reported 11-1 split
Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on Friday after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The panel was reportedly divided 11-1, although the court did not announce a final verdict on any of the three murder counts.
The charges concern the deaths of Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 7 months old. The children were found at the family’s Duxbury home in January 2023. Clancy pleaded not guilty and remained the defendant in the case when the jury was dismissed.
Holdout reportedly provided no supporting evidence
Dargie said other jurors repeatedly asked the holdout to identify testimony or physical evidence that supported his interpretation of the case. He said the juror did not cite a specific witness or exhibit and did not explain how the evidence established the position he was taking.
The jury foreperson eventually sent a note to the court stating that one juror was refusing to follow the judge’s instructions concerning reasonable doubt. Dargie said that communication followed the group’s unsuccessful efforts to understand the holdout’s reasoning and reach agreement.
“There wasn’t a single piece of evidence or witness testimony that he used to prove why he was thinking the way he was,” Dargie said.
Defense considers a double-jeopardy motion
Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, said after the mistrial that he planned to file a new motion seeking dismissal based on double jeopardy. The defense position follows public comments from jurors about the deliberations and the circumstances that led to the mistrial.
Reddington said a juror generally has the right to maintain a position during extended deliberations. He distinguished that right from what he characterized as a refusal to follow the court’s legal instructions after the foreperson reported the dispute.
“I would defend that person’s right to be a holdout for a month,” Reddington said. “That’s what the system is based on.”
Next steps remain unresolved in the case
The office of Plymouth County District Attorney Timmothy Cruz has not announced how it will proceed after the mistrial. The court has set a status hearing for Sept. 29, when the parties may address the defense motion, possible retrial issues and the future schedule.
A mistrial does not itself resolve the murder charges. Any further proceedings will depend on court rulings and decisions by prosecutors and the defense. The allegations remain contested, and Clancy is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a future proceeding.
| 1 | The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict in the three-count murder trial. |
| 2 | A fellow juror said the lone holdout used an exercise band and water bottle during deliberations. |
| 3 | The holdout reportedly did not identify evidence or testimony supporting his position. |
| 4 | The defense is considering a motion to dismiss based on double jeopardy. |
Summary
The mistrial leaves the case against Lindsay Clancy unresolved. Juror accounts have focused attention on the conduct of the lone holdout and the jury’s inability to apply the court’s instructions consistently. Prosecutors have not announced their next move, while the defense plans to challenge the possibility of further proceedings. The Sept. 29 status hearing is expected to clarify the immediate legal path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Lindsay Clancy trial declared a mistrial?
Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial because jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict on the three first-degree murder charges.
What did the lone holdout reportedly do?
According to fellow juror Nick Dargie, the holdout used an exercise band and an empty water bottle to demonstrate how the children were allegedly strangled.
What happens next in the case?
A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29. The defense may seek dismissal based on double jeopardy, while prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue another trial.
