Updated 1w+ ago · Crime

Judge Denies Motion to Clear Lindsay Clancy of Murder Charges

Judge William Sullivan of Massachusetts Superior Court denied a defense motion Thursday seeking a not-guilty finding for Lindsay Clancy. The ruling keeps alive three first-degree murder charges tied to the January 2023 deaths of her children.

Sullivan ruled evidence was sufficient to satisfy any rational fact-finder beyond reasonable doubt.
11 of 12 jurors favored a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity verdict; one held out for guilty.
The trial ended in a hung jury on Sept. 4, 2026, after six weeks.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington invoked Rule 25 of Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Why it matters: The motion was the defense's third attempt to have the murder charges dismissed. Its denial means Clancy still faces trial on three counts of first-degree murder.

Defense argued Clancy suffered postpartum psychosis and heard a voice commanding her to kill her children.
Prosecutors claimed she planned and carried out the strangulation of Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months.

How 42 sources split on this story

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Coverage by lean% of 42 sources

42 sources · 49 articles · 55% Right coverage

Where they split: The core dispute is whether Clancy's mental state at the time of the killings constitutes a legal defense against criminal responsibility.

Center12 sources

Associated Press1w+Judge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence CTV News1w+Lindsay Clancy’s judge denies request to find her not guilty after mistrial News4Jax1w+Judge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence Newsweek1w+Lindsay Clancy Bid to Dismiss Murder Case Denied—Here's What Happens Next PBS NewsHour1w+Judge denies motion asking for Lindsay Clancy to be found not guilty due to lack of evidence Sky News1w+Lindsay Clancy's request for not guilty verdict denied by judge The National Desk1w+Judge denies Lindsay Clancy’s request for not-guilty finding on murder charges TMZ1w+Lindsay Clancy Loses Bid to Have Murder Case Thrown Out USA Today1w+Lindsay Clancy's fate remains in limbo. Here's what happens next WESH 2 News1w+What’s next for Lindsay Clancy after judge denies motion for not guilty verdict WKBN Youngstown1w+Judge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence WPLG Local 101w+Judge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence

Left7 sources

The Independent1w+Judge in Lindsay Clancy trial refuses to declare her not guilty after mistrial ABC News1w+Lindsay Clancy judge denies motion to force not guilty finding Boston.com1w+Judge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence CNN1w+What’s next for Lindsay Clancy after judge denies motion for not guilty verdict Mediaite1w+BREAKING: Judge Denies Lindsay Clancy’s Motion for Not Guilty Verdict Rolling Stone1w+Lindsay Clancy Lawyer’s Bid to Find Her Not Guilty After Mistrial Denied: Judge The Boston Globe1w+Lindsay Clancy trial: Judge rejects request for not guilty verdict

Right coverage, 23 sources: The right frames the ruling as a legal rebuke of the defense, emphasizing the judge's repeated rejection of Reddington's attempts to dismiss charges.