Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy triple-murder trial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, remained deadlocked for a second day on Wednesday, prompting Judge William Sullivan to issue a "dynamite instruction" urging them to continue deliberations. The 12-member jury, which began deliberating last Thursday, notified Sullivan twice this week that they could not reach a unanimous verdict on the charges against Clancy, a 36-year-old former nurse accused of strangling her three children in January 2023.
Clancy has admitted to killing her children—Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months—but pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility, arguing she suffered from postpartum psychosis. Prosecutors contend she planned the killings and understood their gravity. The trial, livestreamed and closely watched, has drawn intense public and media attention, with over 200 reporters covering the proceedings.
The deadlock came as the courthouse grappled with an incident involving Dawn Light, 56, who was arrested Tuesday for allegedly photographing jurors in a restricted parking area. Light, a registered nurse, pleaded not guilty to aggravated intimidation of a juror, claiming she was only trying to photograph Clancy. Prosecutors said deleted images on her phone showed jurors exiting the courthouse, violating Sullivan’s order banning such recordings. Light was released on personal recognizance with conditions barring her from the courthouse and contact with trial participants.
Sullivan instructed the jury to resume deliberations Thursday morning, warning that failure to reach a verdict could result in a mistrial. The jury, composed of nine women and three men, has reviewed over 300 pieces of evidence and testimony from 80 witnesses during the four-week trial.
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