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 23 sources split on this story
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.
Newsweek1hLindsay Clancy Bid to Dismiss Murder Case Denied—Here's What Happens NextTNDThe National Desk2hJudge denies Lindsay Clancy’s request for not-guilty finding on murder charges
TMZ24mLindsay Clancy Loses Bid to Have Murder Case Thrown OutWYWKBN Youngstown55mJudge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence
The Independent2hJudge in Lindsay Clancy trial refuses to declare her not guilty after mistrial
ABC News2hLindsay Clancy judge denies motion to force not guilty findingBosBoston.com1hJudge denies defense motion asking Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty due to a lack of evidence
CNN27mWhat’s next for Lindsay Clancy after judge denies motion for not guilty verdict
Mediaite2hBREAKING: Judge Denies Lindsay Clancy’s Motion for Not Guilty VerdictTBGThe Boston Globe1hLindsay Clancy trial: Judge rejects request for not guilty verdictRight coverage, 11 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.
New York Post2hLindsay Clancy's lawyer slapped down by judge after trying to get murder charges thrown out
The Post Millennial2hBREAKING: Judge strikes down motion requesting Lindsay Clancy be found not guilty of murdering her children
Boston Herald2hJudge denies Lindsay Clancy’s request to be found not guilty of murdering her kids
Daily Mail2hLindsay Clancy loses daring bid to have her found not guilty of murdering her three children after mistrial
Fox News2hLindsay Clancy's motion for a finding of not guilty denied weeks after mistrial
LifeNews2hJudge Denies Lindsay Clancy's Request to be Found Not Guilty - LifeNews.com
One America News8hJudge denies Lindsay Clancy’s motion to be found not guilty on insufficient evidence claims
RedState5hBreaking: Judge in Lindsay Clancy Case Denies Defense Motion for a Finding of Not Guilty
The Daily Wire22hJudge Deals Major Blow To Lindsay Clancy’s Defense
The Gateway Pundit52mJudge Denies Clancy Attorney’s Motion to Find Lindsay Clancy Not Guilty for Lack of Evidence * The Gateway Pundit * by Cristina Laila
Washington Examiner51mJudge in Lindsay Clancy murder trial rejects defense's not-guilty bidWhat’s next: No retrial date has been set. The case remains active following the mistrial.
- Will prosecutors pursue a retrial, and if so, when?
- How will the defense address the evidentiary standard the judge upheld?