Lindsay Clancy Next Hearing Set for September 29, 2026 After Judge Declares Mistrial

Following the mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case, Judge William Sullivan scheduled a status hearing for later this month. Here is what to expect on September 29 and what could happen next.

On Friday, September 4, 2026, Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan formally declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy after the jury reported being deadlocked for the third time over more than a week of deliberations.

With the mistrial in place, the case essentially returned to the same status as before the trial began:

• Clancy remains charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her children—Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months.
• She continues to be held in state custody at a psychiatric hospital, where she has been since before the trial started.
• There is no conviction and no acquittal; the legal questions about her criminal responsibility remain unresolved.

September 29 Status Hearing

Judge Sullivan scheduled a status hearing for Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Plymouth Superior Court. The hearing will bring together the prosecution, defense attorneys, and the judge to discuss next steps in the case.

At this hearing, the court is expected to address several key issues:

• Prosecutors' decision on retrial: Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz and his team must indicate whether they intend to retry Clancy on the same first-degree murder charges, pursue reduced charges, negotiate a plea deal, or dismiss the case.
• Scheduling: If a retrial is planned, the judge and attorneys will discuss potential dates for jury selection and the start of a new trial. Judge Sullivan has indicated he would ideally like to retry the case later this fall, though no firm timetable has been set.
• Pretrial motions: The defense may file or renew motions, such as requests for bail or release, motions to suppress evidence, or other procedural matters ahead of a potential retrial.
• Rule 25(b)(2) motion: Court records indicate that a hearing on a Rule 25(b)(2) motion was also set for September 29. This type of motion typically allows a judge to review or reduce a jury's verdict, though in this context it may be used to address post-mistrial issues or preserve certain legal arguments.

What Prosecutors Are Considering

After the mistrial, District Attorney Cruz stated that no immediate decision would be made on whether to retry the case. His office will need to weigh several factors:

• Strength of the evidence: Prosecutors believe they presented a strong case showing that Clancy intentionally strangled her three children and that her actions were deliberate and premeditated.
• Jury deadlock dynamics: The fact that the jury hung—reportedly by a narrow margin—suggests that some jurors were sympathetic to the postpartum psychosis defense. Prosecutors will assess whether a different jury might be more persuaded by their theory of the case.
• Resources and cost: A second trial would require significant time, money, and emotional energy from witnesses, victims' families, and court staff. Some legal observers note that retrials after a mistrial can be expensive and uncertain.
• Plea options: Prosecutors could explore a plea agreement, potentially involving a guilty plea to a lesser charge (such as manslaughter) in exchange for avoiding another full trial.

Defense Strategy After the Mistrial

For Clancy's defense team, led by attorney Kevin Reddington and appellate lawyer Dana Goldblatt, the mistrial offers both challenges and opportunities:

• Pushing for dismissal or reduced charges: The defense may argue that the deadlock shows the evidence was insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and urge prosecutors not to retry the case.
• Seeking release or modified custody: Clancy's lawyers may request changes to her custody conditions, arguing for bail or transfer to a different facility while the case remains pending.
• Preparing for a retrial: If prosecutors move forward with a new trial, the defense will likely refine their presentation on postpartum psychosis, criminal responsibility, and reasonable doubt, building on what they learned from the first jury's reactions.

What Could Happen After September 29

Several scenarios are possible depending on what is announced or decided at the status hearing:

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• Retrial scheduled: Prosecutors announce they will retry Clancy on first-degree murder charges, and the court sets dates for pretrial conferences, motions, and jury selection.
• Plea negotiations progress: Both sides indicate they are in active plea discussions, potentially leading to a resolution without a second trial.
• Charges reduced or dismissed: Less likely but possible, prosecutors could decide to proceed on lesser charges or, in a surprising move, dismiss some or all counts.

Legal analysts note that in high-profile cases involving child deaths, it is uncommon for prosecutors to completely walk away after a mistrial, but the final decision will depend on their assessment of the likelihood of securing a conviction in a second trial.

Clancy's Custody Status

Unless her attorneys successfully argue for a change, Lindsay Clancy is expected to remain in state custody at a psychiatric hospital while the case is pending. She has been held in this setting since before the trial began, under evaluation and treatment related to her mental health.

Any request for bail or release would require a separate motion and hearing, with prosecutors likely to oppose such requests given the seriousness of the charges.

Key Takeaways

• A status hearing in the Lindsay Clancy case is set for September 29, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Plymouth Superior Court.
• At that hearing, prosecutors are expected to indicate whether they will seek a retrial, pursue a plea deal, or consider other options.
• Clancy remains charged with first-degree murder and in state psychiatric custody; there has been no conviction or acquittal.
• If a retrial is scheduled, it could begin as early as later this fall, though exact dates have not been set.
• The core issues—intentional killing versus lack of criminal responsibility due to postpartum psychosis—are likely to remain central if the case goes to trial again.

What the September 29 Hearing Means for the Clancy Case

The September 29 status hearing will be the first major court event since Judge Sullivan declared a mistrial in the Clancy trial. It marks the transition from the uncertainty immediately after the deadlock to a more structured phase where the prosecution and defense outline their next moves.

For the families of Cora, Dawson, and Callan Clancy, and for the public following the case, this hearing will provide the first concrete answers about whether there will be a second trial or some other resolution. It will also set the timeline for what could be another emotionally grueling legal process.

Until then, the case remains in a state of limbo: a mistrial has been declared, but the fundamental questions about Lindsay Clancy's criminal responsibility and the legal consequences of her actions are still waiting to be answered.