Lindsay Clancy judge backs off formal mistrial, gives defense 1 hour to appeal

Judge William Sullivan backed off of formally declaring a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case after saying he would do so, instead giving the defense one hour to appeal the decision and seek a stay.

Sullivan initially stated he would declare a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy murder case on Friday.

"Over the defendant's objection, I'm going to declare a mistrial," Sullivan said.

"I think here where we've had a jury whose been deliberating for six and a half days ... I don't think anything else is required at this point other than the declaration of a mistrial, unfortunately," the prosecutor stated before Sullivan made his decision.

But after that exchange, Defense Attorney Kevin Reddington sought an opportunity to appeal the decision, which Sullivan then granted, according to Fox News.

The declaration follows the jury failing to reach a unanimous verdict after several days of deliberating. Earlier on Friday, Sullivan and defense attorney Kevin Reddington sparred over the sufficiency of the judge's instructions to the jury, with Reddington asserting that a lone holdout juror was refusing to apply the law on reasonable doubt and allow a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

The holdout juror's hesitance came to light after the foreman passed a note to the judge asserting that the sole juror was unwilling to apply reasonable doubt properly. The judge declined to remove that juror.

Previously, authorities apprehended a woman accused of filming the jury, which was not sequestered during the case.

Clancy stands accused of murdering her three children. While she admits to the act, she has argued that she suffered from severe mental illness and should be held not guilty by reason of insanity.

The case has become a national controversy and a focal point in the gender wars, with many women rallying behind Clancy as a feminist icon.

Prosecutors have yet to indicate whether they will seek a plea agreement or a new trial.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.