Mistrial declared in Clancy case

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) -- The top court in Massachusetts has refused to stop the judge in the Lindsay Clancy case from declaring a mistrial, the judge said in court on Friday, after jurors said for a third time they could not reach a verdict.

Judge William Sullivan announced in court that jurors -- now in their seventh day of deliberations -- sent a third note saying they can't reach a unanimous decision on whether the Massachusetts mother is criminally responsible for killing her three young children in 2023.

The judge said he was going to declare a mistrial before suddenly changing course and giving her defense attorney one hour to appeal. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court quickly rejected the appeal.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.

PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) -- The judge in the Lindsay Clancy trial said he was going to declare a mistrial Friday before suddenly changing course and giving her defense attorney one hour to appeal.

Judge William Sullivan’s stunning move came after he announced in court that jurors -- now in their seventh day of deliberations -- sent a third note saying they can’t reach a unanimous decision on whether the Massachusetts mother is criminally responsible for killing her three young children in 2023.

"I'm going to declare a mistrial at this point," Sullivan said before the defense asked for a stay of the declaration. At the defense table, Clancy showed no visible reaction to the exchange.

The trial has generated intense interest for more than a month, deeply dividing the public and drawing attention to issues around maternal mental health after childbirth. Clancy's attorney said she was suffering from a rare condition called postpartum psychosis when she strangled her kids, the youngest just 8 months old, then tried to take her own life.

Prosecutors said Clancy, a 36-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, knew what she was doing.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.