Juror phone probe sought after mistrial in mother’s triple-child deaths

The defence for Lindsay Clancy has asked a judge to investigate a juror’s mobile phone use and questionnaire answers after a mistrial in the case over the deaths of her three children in Massachusetts, the defence said on Friday.

Clancy has not denied killing her children — Cora, five; Dawson, three; and Callan, eight months — at the family home. Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, asked the court to review calls and texts made by “Juror Doe” between 08:00 and 16:30 local time on each day the jury deliberated and to examine whether the juror’s jury-selection questionnaire answers were truthful.

Clancy’s defence argued she suffered postpartum psychosis and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecutors say she deliberately sent her husband out on an errand before strangling the children. The jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict this month, producing a mistrial.

One juror, Michael Desronvil, was the lone holdout who wanted to find Clancy guilty. Desronvil has said there was “enough proof that she [Clancy] knew exactly what she was doing.” Several jurors later said the panel was divided 11-1 in favor of finding Clancy not criminally responsible.

Reddington also filed a separate motion seeking dismissal of the case. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will retry Clancy.

Desronvil has hired attorney Edward Paltzik after receiving backlash for his vote. Paltzik called the defence motion an attack on the constitutional right to a fair jury trial and defended his client’s decision to hold to his view of the evidence. The jury forewoman has told media she believed Desronvil had expressed reasonable doubt during deliberations; Desronvil denies that characterization.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The defence’s request focuses on potential improper juror conduct through phone use and alleged inaccuracies in juror questionnaires, aiming to probe whether deliberations were affected. The motion coincides with public disagreement among jurors about the single holdout’s stance and follows a mistrial in a case centered on claims of postpartum psychosis versus prosecution assertions of deliberate action. The court’s review will determine whether juror conduct or questionnaire answers warrant further remedies, including possible dismissal or retrial.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Defence asked judge to review a juror’s phone calls and texts during deliberations.
• Charges stem from deaths of Cora (5), Dawson (3) and Callan (8 months) in Massachusetts.
• Clancy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, with defence citing postpartum psychosis.