Plea deal could resolve Clancy case instead of second trial
Criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno discussed the Lindsay Clancy murder case after a mistrial, including the possibility of a plea agreement, on “Fox & Friends Weekend.” The conversation examined whether prosecutors will pursue a second trial or resolve the charges through a deal following the deaths of Clancy’s three children.
Judge Judy Sheindlin weighed in Thursday on the high-profile Lindsay Clancy murder case, cautioning that prosecutors could face a “danger” if they decide not to retry the Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children.
TMZ asked the 83-year-old judge and television personality whether Clancy should face a second trial after jurors failed earlier this month to reach a unanimous verdict.
“I think there’s a danger in that, in not retrying,” Sheindlin said.
Sheindlin, whose syndicated courtroom program “Judge Judy” ran for 25 seasons, was also asked how she viewed the trial’s outcome after reports indicated that jurors were split 11-1 in favor of finding Clancy not criminally responsible.
Judge Judy Sheindlin commented on the Lindsay Clancy case after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision in the Massachusetts mother’s murder trial. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images; Unique Nicole/Getty Images;)
“I can’t give you a two minute answer on that,” Sheindlin replied.
She was then asked whether she believed the jury should have found Clancy guilty.
“There’s no question, my dear, that she killed her children,” Sheindlin said. “The only question is, is there an excuse for it? Make up your own mind on that one.”
Kevin Reddington, Lindsay Clancy’s defense attorney, and Clancy look on as Judge William Sullivan, who is out of frame, directs jurors to continue deliberating during her murder trial at Plymouth County Superior Court in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on September 4, 2026. ( )
TMZ also sought Sheindlin’s reaction to Rep. Nancy Mace’s public call for Clancy to be executed.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” Sheindlin said.
Clancy’s defense team does not dispute that the 36-year-old former delivery room nurse strangled her three children with exercise bands in January 2023.
However, her attorneys contend that mental illness or a mental defect left her unable to be held criminally responsible.
Judge Judy Sheindlin cautioned that prosecutors could face a “danger” if they decline to retry Lindsay Clancy after the Massachusetts mother’s mistrial. (Unique Nicole/Getty Images)
Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial on Sept. 4, after jurors spent seven days deliberating and reported that they could not reach a unanimous decision.
Several jurors later said 11 members of the panel supported finding Clancy not guilty because she lacked criminal responsibility, while one juror favored conviction.
After the mistrial, Clancy’s longtime attorney, Kevin Reddington, indicated that he would oppose another prosecution. The defense has signaled that it intends to argue that the circumstances leading to the mistrial legally prevent the state from holding a second trial.
But in a recent interview with Fox News’ Bryan Llenas, Reddington said he would agree to a bench trial—meaning a judge, rather than a jury, would decide the case—if prosecutors reduced the top charge to second-degree murder. He said the strategy could give Clancy a chance at probation.
Clancy remains held at Tewksbury Hospital and is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 29.
