PLYMOUTH, Mass. — The 12 jurors and six alternates in the high‑profile murder case of former labor‑and‑delivery nurse Lindsay Clancy returned to the bench Wednesday morning for a final round of questioning by Judge William F. Sullivan.
Each juror was sworn in again and listened as the judge reminded them of their duty to consider the reasonableness of all opinions. The judge’s instructions, known locally as the Tuey‑Rodriguez charge, urged the panel to keep deliberating toward a verdict.
Deadlock persists
Despite nearly 30 hours of discussion over five days, the jury has twice submitted notes stating they cannot reach a unanimous decision. The latest note, delivered Wednesday, echoed the earlier one: “After much deliberation we are still unable to come to a unanimous decision.”
Judge Sullivan warned that if the deadlock continues, a mistrial could be declared, potentially leading to a retrial.
Legal stakes and community impact
Clancy, 36, is charged with the murder of her three children. She is currently paralyzed after a suicide attempt and has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder. The case has drawn intense local attention, with many residents gathering outside the courthouse.
Prosecutors say the evidence points to intentional homicide, while the defense emphasizes Clancy’s severe mental‑health issues and argues she may lack criminal responsibility.
Juror intimidation incident
Complicating the proceedings, a 56‑year‑old woman, Dawn Light, was arrested for allegedly filming jurors in a restricted parking area. Light pleaded not guilty to aggravated intimidation of a witness. The judge released her without cash bail but ordered her to stay away from the courthouse and barred her from releasing any images of the jurors.
Light’s arrest has raised concerns about the sanctity of the judicial process, a point emphasized by prosecutor Nicole Piacentini.
What’s next?
The jury is scheduled to reconvene Thursday for a sixth day of deliberations. If they remain deadlocked, Judge Sullivan may declare a mistrial, opening the door for a possible retrial, which local prosecutors say they would pursue regardless of the outcome.
The case continues to polarize the Plymouth community, highlighting the tension between seeking justice for the victims and ensuring a fair legal process for the defendant.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
