Lindsay Clancy’s lawyer, Kevin Reddington, asked President Trump to consider a pardon for his client on Tuesday. The request came during a brief interview on “Good Morning America” after a jury could not reach a verdict. Reddington told George Stephanopoulos, “Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady – the type of person she is and what she’s been through – and consider a pardon,” per reports, according to the New York Post. He described his client as a “wonderful, wonderful person” despite the tragic loss of her three children.
Reddington made the plea after the judge declared a mistrial in Clancy’s high-profile case on Friday. The defense attorney noted that Trump had “felt compelled to speak out about this case” in recent days. However, the President had previously stated that Clancy must face consequences for her actions. Trump told reporters last week, “Look, she did a horrible, horrible thing. Can’t be worse. But you’ll find out what the price to pay is. There’ll be a price.” According to reports, the outcome will be either a mental institution, jail, or something similar.
The mistrial resulted from a split jury that deliberated for more than 38 hours over seven days. The 12-person panel included nine women and three men who could not agree on a unanimous verdict. Reddington expressed frustration with the lone holdout juror who refused to side with the others. He noted a note from the jury forelady indicating the juror “had doubt but would not apply reasonable doubt” to his vote. Reddington said, “I would defend that individual’s right to be a holdout forever, that’s part of our judicial system.”
Despite the deadlock, Reddington insisted that the legal process must continue to ensure justice. He argued that the outcome should not stand if the jury made a fundamental error. Reddington stated, “It has to stop and there should be consequences,” regarding the situation. His intention involves submitting a motion to overturn the hung-jury verdict and requesting a judge to declare his client not guilty due to insanity. This legal move is expected to be argued at a hearing on September 29.
Legal experts warn that Reddington’s request for a judge to overturn the jury’s decision faces steep odds. Peter Elikann, a Boston lawyer unaffiliated with the case, described the motion as extremely rare. Elikann explained that judges rarely grant such requests unless the jury clearly got it wrong based on evidence. He noted that most judges go through their entire careers without granting one of these motions. Elikann recalled only one similar success in Massachusetts, when a judge reduced a conviction in 1997.
The defense team contends that the jury erred so severely that judicial intervention is required. However, Elikann emphasized that the judicial system deeply respects the role of juries. He stated, “We don’t undo what juries did. We really respect juries,” according to reports, the New York Post reported. Reddington’s next step remains uncertain as he prepares for the upcoming hearing. The outcome of this motion will determine if Clancy faces a second trial or remains in a mental health facility.
