Society

Lindsay Clancy's motion for a finding of not guilty denied weeks after mistrial

Lindsay Clancy's not guilty motion was denied by Massachusetts Judge William Sullivan, who ruled enough evidence exists to prove criminal responsibility despite mental illness.

Reading time: 3 min0 comments
Lindsay Clancy's motion for a finding of not guilty denied weeks after mistrial
Lindsay Clancy's motion for a finding of not guilty denied weeks after mistrial

Massachusetts Judge William Sullivan has denied Lindsay Clancy's motion for a required finding of not guilty.

Sullivan had denied a similar motion when her mistrial was declared on Sept. 4, and denied a renewed attempt Thursday after defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued earlier this week that Plymouth County prosecutors had failed to introduce enough evidence at trial to prove his client guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

"There was evidence introduced, both physical and circumstantial, that would permit a rational trier of fact to find beyond a reasonable doubt the elements of the charge of murder," Sullivan wrote.

Lindsay Clancy and her attorney, Kevin Reddington, attend a status hearing for the Clancy case at the Plymouth County Superior Court in Plymouth, Massachusetts on September 29, 2026. Clancy appeared in court for the first time since the judge declared a mistrial on September 4, after a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the high-profile case of Clancy, an American woman who killed her three young children. (Greg Derr / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

He also disagreed with Reddington's argument that the state had failed to prove Clancy could have been criminally responsible for the murders.

Three young Clancy children in pajamas sit together on a couch, the smiling baby resting against his older brother, with their sister beside them.

Callan, left, Dawson and Cora Clancy. The three children were killed at their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. (Lindsay Marie Clancy/Facebook)

GOT A TIP?

"Mental illness alone does not preclude a finding of criminal responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt," Sullivan wrote.

Read the judge's order:

"The Commonwealth's theory of criminal responsibility was that when the defendant committed the crime, she did not lack substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality or wrongfulness of her conduct and did not lack the substantial capacity to conform her conduct to the requirements of the law," he continued. "In support of this position, the Commonwealth introduced evidence regarding the nature and methods of the killings and the defendant's actions and demeanor at times surrounding the killings."

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

(L) Patrick Clancy and (R) 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 7-month-old Callan, who died.

(L) Patrick Clancy and (R) Lindsay Clancy's three children, 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 7-month-old Callan, who died. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images and Lindsay Marie Clancy Facebook)

Clancy is due back in court on Nov. 2 for a hearing on her pending double jeopardy motion and Reddington's request for an inquiry into the lone holdout juror who wanted to find her guilty.

This is a breaking news story.

What readers are saying

Readers discuss the facts, the analysis and how Society affects everyday life.

Comments 0

Comments

No comments yet.

Related stories

More from Velnora Daily