Kathmandu— The closely watched trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three young children, ended in a mistrial after weeks of deliberations. The jury could not reach a verdict on the seventh day of deliberations, leading to a last-minute appeal by Clancy’s defense team. Despite the defense’s request, the state’s highest court denied the appeal, and Judge William F. Sullivan formally declared a mistrial. The case, which captivated the nation, now faces the possibility of a second trial.

Legal Controversy and Last-Minute Appeal

The jury foreperson had previously informed Judge William F. Sullivan that a single juror was not following the court’s instruction on reasonable doubt. In their last-minute appeal, Clancy’s lawyers argued that the juror should be questioned more thoroughly or dismissed. However, prosecutors contended that there was no evidence of the juror’s bias or inability to deliberate.

Expert Testimony and Mental Health Debate

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said there would not be an immediate decision on whether to retry the case. Crystal Lyons, a former prosecutor in Massachusetts, believes that prosecutors do not have the option not to retry Lindsay Clancy, given the tragic loss of three young children.

The next steps in the case are uncertain, with prosecutors deciding whether to retry the case. The family of the victims and the community are left to grapple with the aftermath of the mistrial.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.