A holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy trial, who contributed to a mistrial after an 11-1 deadlock, had previously been charged with domestic violence assault and battery in 2021, according to a report by CBS News. The charge was later dismissed, and the juror’s identity remains undisclosed as Plymouth Superior Court has not made the jury list public.
The juror’s past came to light after the mistrial was declared in the case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children in January 2023. Clancy’s defense argued she was not criminally responsible due to postpartum psychosis, while prosecutors maintained she was accountable for the killings.
Jury deliberations revealed
One of the 11 jurors who favored a not criminally responsible verdict, Paula Devlin, stated in an interview with CBS Saturday Morning that the panel viewed the trial as an opportunity to “make it better for other women” and prevent future tragedies. Devlin described the case as a “turning point” that could change outcomes for families.
According to Devlin, the jury’s initial split was eight in favor of not criminally responsible, with two undecided and the holdout juror along with one other leaning toward a guilty verdict. The mistrial was declared after the 11-1 deadlock, leaving the legal status of the case unresolved.
Legal experts weigh in
Neama Rahmani, a Los Angeles-based trial attorney, criticized Devlin’s remarks, stating that jurors are not permitted to consider the broader impact of their decision on society or future cases. Rahmani emphasized that jurors must base their verdicts solely on the facts of the case and applicable law.
The holdout juror’s prior domestic violence charge was reported by CBS News, which obtained a Brockton, Massachusetts, police report indicating the juror allegedly grabbed his wife by the throat and threw her into a dresser in September 2021. The juror’s 13-year-old nephew called 911, and the charge was later dismissed. Plymouth County District Attorney’s office has not publicly commented on the matter.
The case remains pending, with no immediate indication of whether prosecutors will pursue a retrial.