Judge Denies Request to Remove Holdout Juror in Lindsay Clancy Murder Trial

A jury in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy entered its seventh day of deliberations on Friday after Judge William Sullivan rejected a request from the defense to remove a holdout juror. The jury is reportedly split 11 to 1 toward an acquittal, according to defense attorney Kevin Reddington and reports from several outlets. The deadlock stems from a jury note indicating that one member has acknowledged doubt but refuses to apply it to the verdict as the law requires.

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued that the juror was not being honest and refused to follow the law regarding reasonable doubt. He requested that the judge question the juror further or remove them from the panel. Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague opposed the request, stating that the note indicated a disagreement over how to weigh evidence rather than an intentional attempt to mislead the court. Judge Sullivan declined to remove the juror, stating he did not feel it was appropriate to take sides in the deliberations. He instead reminded the jury to follow the law regardless of their personal feelings.

The proceedings included a tense exchange between the judge and the defense attorney. Reddington accused the judge of being too soft when instructing the jury on the burden of proof. Judge Sullivan responded by asking if the attorney wanted him to get a brass band, noting that he is a judge and not an actor.

Lindsay Clancy is accused of strangling her three young children in 2023. Prosecutors argue she acted intentionally and rationally, while the defense contends she suffered from postpartum psychosis and should not be held criminally responsible. Clancy, who is paralyzed from the waist down following a suicide attempt after the killings, was brought to the front of the courtroom in a wheelchair on Friday to be informed of the proceedings.