President Donald Trump said Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy will still face consequences for the deaths of her three young children after a mistrial was declared Friday in her murder trial.
Asked by a reporter in the Oval Office about the case, Trump called it “a horrible tragedy” and noted the outcome appeared to be a hung jury. “I assume there’s going to be another trial. It’s a terrible situation. 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 [a] mental institution or jail or something,” he said.
Clancy, a Massachusetts mother, was on trial for the January 2023 deaths of her children — Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months — who were strangled with exercise bands. Her defense did not dispute that she killed them but argued she was not guilty by reason of insanity, saying she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe psychiatric condition that disconnects a person from reality.
After nearly a week of deliberations in the six-week trial, Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial when the jury deadlocked 11 to 1, with 11 jurors favoring acquittal and one holdout refusing to join them. The jury was made up of nine women and three men. According to People, Clancy’s defense attorney asked that the lone juror be removed after a note from the jury indicated the holdout had doubt but would not apply it.
Republican reaction, Democratic silence
The mistrial drew sharp criticism from Republican officials, while Democratic lawmakers, including those representing Massachusetts, have largely not commented publicly.
“Out of 12 people, only ONE had the courage to hold a serial killer accountable for her actions,” Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, wrote on X. “That’s not just bravery. That’s a hero.”
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Ohio, wrote on X: “Holdout juror’s going to need security. Sad.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the mistrial a “miscarriage of justice,” writing, “The victims deserved far, far better than a kangaroo court.”
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has been especially vocal, criticizing Clancy’s supporters who have gathered outside the courthouse and posted videos of support online. “This case is not about the excuses for why she committed murder,” Mace wrote on X. “This is about justice for the three beautiful souls whose lives were taken after their mother strangled them with her bare hands and workout bands.” She added, “12 jurors looked at this onesie. Only ONE stood his ground to defend the children.”
Defense points to medication, family testimony
Clancy’s defense argued she was a devoted mother who had been desperately seeking help, contending that a heavy combination of psychiatric medications worsened her mental state. Records show she had been prescribed 13 psychiatric medications, totaling more than 30 prescriptions, in the four months before the killings.
Her mother-in-law, Susan Clancy, testified for the defense. “Lindsay was struggling. We were all very concerned,” she told jurors. “She was very nurturing, very loving. She was a wonderful mother. Wonderful.”
Separately, Patrick Clancy, the children’s father, is pursuing wrongful death and medical malpractice lawsuits against Clancy’s medical providers, including Dr. Jennifer Tufts, Rebecca Jollotta, Aster Mental Health and South Shore Health System, along with an additional suit alleging negligence, malpractice and personal injury.
Lindsay Clancy is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 29 for a status hearing, trial assignment and a defense Rule 25 motion.
