The lone juror whose refusal to join the other 11 panelists resulted in a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy case has hired an attorney who previously represented President Donald Trump. The lawyer said he is representing the juror, while one legal scholar tracking the case said the decision suggests the juror is prepared to “stand up for himself.”
Clancy, 36, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children — 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan. The children were found strangled at the family’s Duxbury home in January 2023. Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial Sept. 4 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision. The vote stood at 11-1.
Attorney Edward Paltzik told News Outlet Friday that he represents the holdout juror, Michael P. Desronvil.
Michael P. Desronvil, the juror whose refusal to join the other 11 led to a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial. (Fugitive TV)
Desronvil, the jury’s sole dissenter, has publicly explained that he remained convinced prosecutors proved Clancy was criminally responsible for the January 2023 deaths of her three children. His statement was first reported by NewsNation and confirmed by Paltzik to News Outlet.
“I didn’t have any doubts. As I tried to explain different possible theories during deliberation, I kept getting cut off as if I had doubts based on the evidence present,” Desronvil said. “Based on all the physical evidence, key witnesses and what the prosecution presents, I thought it was enough proof that she knew exactly what she was doing and planned.”
Paltzik is best known for representing Trump in a lawsuit against The New York Times. Trump alleged the newspaper falsely portrayed his business success as fraudulent ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The case was dismissed in 2025 but has since been refiled.
Lindsay Clancy at the Plymouth County Superior Court. (Pool)
Paltzik also worked on Trump’s lawsuit against CBS, which followed accusations that “60 Minutes” selectively edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. In July 2025, Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million. The company said the money would be directed toward Trump’s future presidential library.
Paltzik said at the time that the CBS interview caused confusion and “mental anguish” among viewers, misled voters and diverted attention from Trump and his online platform, Truth Social.
He also represented Trump in his lawsuit against ABC News, which was settled for $15 million. That money was also designated for Trump’s future presidential library.
Michael P. Desronvil, the lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, which ended in a mistrial. (Fugitive TV)
In another prominent case, Paltzik represents three friends of Nolan Wells. Wells, 18, disappeared July 4 after taking a boat with friends to Horn Island, a barrier island off Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Search crews spent two days looking for him before a National Parks Service ranger found his remains at the island’s northwestern tip on July 6.
Paltzik began representing Wells’ friends in August after social media influencers made false allegations against them.
“We are proud to stand with and fight for three completely innocent young men: Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo, and Morgan Seymour. Starting today, those who wish to continue trafficking in lies about these Good Ocean Springs People will be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law. We, on the other hand, will be focused solely on the truth, which is that these innocent young men had nothing whatsoever to do with the tragic death of Nolan Wells,” Paltzik said in a statement to News Outlet with Tyler Cox, a Mississippi-based attorney.
Paltzik said Desronvil would not participate in additional media interviews for now. He described the juror as an “American hero” and a “Champion of justice.”
Callan, left, Dawson and Cora Clancy. The three children were killed at their Duxbury, Massachusetts, home in January 2023. (Lindsay Marie Clancy/Facebook)
“Again, we are focused entirely on his health, safety, and well-being. There will be a time for accountability and a time for the real story of the Lindsay Clancy Trial to be told. But not right now,” Paltzik wrote on X. “This American Hero and Champion of Justice thanks all of you who have stood by him for your kindness, prayers, and support,” he added.
The statement came as Plymouth County prosecutors consider whether to retry Clancy. Her defense attorneys, meanwhile, have suggested the case could potentially be resolved without convening a second jury.
Mark Astor, a former prosecutor and behavioral health law expert, told News Outlet that Desronvil’s decision to retain an attorney makes clear he is prepared to “stand up for himself.”
“I think there’s certainly some indication that his name and reputation is now being dragged through the mud,” Astor said. “The other issue obviously is he’s basically been attacked not just by potentially the other jurors, but by Mr. Reddington on the foot of the courthouse, since we had that mistrial declared by the judge. So I mean, I think he feels like he needs to, you know, at least stand up for himself.”
Astor said the exposure from the Clancy jury threatens a system that depends on people being willing to serve.
Lindsay Clancy in court last month. (Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“I think it’s a terrible thing that we’re having to see this,” Astor said. “The whole idea of the jury is sort of this sacred arena where jurors get to decide a verdict in a case. And now we’re taking what is really a sacred arena and we’re exposing it to the public.”
Clancy is due back in court on Sept. 29 for a status hearing, at which more information about the future of her case may be revealed.
