Judge blocks inquiry into juror who caused mistrial in Clancy case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 23:32 · Archive

A Massachusetts judge has denied a bid to question the holdout juror whose refusal to acquit led to a mistrial in Lindsay Clancy's triple-murder case.

Judge William Sullivan has blocked an attempt by Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney to investigate the holdout juror whose refusal to acquit triggered a mistrial in September. The judge ruled on Wednesday that the mistrial must be evaluated only on the basis of circumstances known at the time it was declared, and that further inquiry into the juror's reasoning would be inappropriate.

Clancy's attorney Kevin Reddington had requested an evidentiary hearing to call witnesses to address allegations that juror Michael P. Desronvil lied on his jury questionnaire and used his cellphone during deliberations. Details about Desronvil's past emerged after the mistrial, prompting the defense to claim he had failed to disclose previous domestic violence allegations that would have disqualified him from serving.

Judge Sullivan is yet to rule on Clancy's separate motion to dismiss the three murder charges on double jeopardy grounds. Both sides are scheduled to present arguments on that motion on 2 November.

How it is being reported

• Lindsay Clancy’s lawyer suffers major blow in fight to investigate holdout jurorThe push by Lindsay Clancy's lawyer to investigate the lone holdout juror who forced a mistrial in her triple-murder case has been stopped in its tracks by the judge.New York Post · 21 Oct, 23:22
• Lindsay Clancy judge denies bid to question holdout juror who refused to acquit mom in murder of her three childrenThe Massachusetts judge who oversaw the Lindsay Clancy trial has denied a motion to question the one juror who refused to acquit the mother in the murder of her three children.Daily Mail · 21 Oct, 22:55

In this story: Lindsay Clancy · Judge William Sullivan · Michael P. Desronvil · Kevin Reddington · Massachusetts

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