Juror says video of defendant's depression influenced deliberations in Lindsay Clancy trial

A juror who served on the trial of Lindsay Clancy said a video recorded at Tewksbury Hospital, in which Clancy described deep depression and suicidal thoughts, caused her to reconsider the charge of first-degree murder. The juror later became the sole holdout against an acquittal, and the jury ultimately voted 11-1 to find Clancy not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility, accepting the defense's claim of postpartum psychosis.

Plymouth Superior Court Judge William F. Sullivan declared a mistrial on Sept. 4 after jurors repeatedly indicated they could not reach a unanimous verdict. The juror, 65-year-old Paula Devlin, told the Globe that the experience was “heartbreaking; it was painful,” and that she felt the jury had failed to reach a verdict despite weighing the evidence.

Clancy, 36, pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, asserting that she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and hearing a male voice urging her to kill herself and her children. She later attempted suicide, resulting in paralysis from the waist down.

“Three children were murdered; nobody has forgotten that,” Devlin said, noting that jurors faced threats on social media for their positions.

“I’m faulting the medical industry in general and mental health specifically,” she added, arguing that the system had not provided adequate help despite Clancy’s repeated pleas.

The defense presented evidence that Clancy had sought treatment for depression, anxiety and insomnia after the birth of her third child, while prosecutors argued she received appropriate care and chose to kill herself and the children to end her misery.

According to Devlin, the jury’s 11-1 vote reflected Massachusetts law that the prosecution had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Clancy was capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of her actions. She said a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity would have resulted in Clancy’s commitment to a state psychiatric hospital, with periodic reviews for possible release.

Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz has not yet indicated whether a retrial on first-degree murder charges will be pursued, or if a lesser charge might be filed, which could allow a judge to decide the case without a jury.

“I think that it will be very difficult to get 12 people to agree that she’s guilty of any level of murder,” Devlin said, describing the defense’s case as “very, very strong.”