Discretion advised: This story involves details of a case concerning the deaths of children.

The jury in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial ended its second day of deliberations Friday, August 28, without reaching a verdict, and will return to Plymouth Superior Court on Monday morning to continue weighing the case.

How Long Deliberations Have Run

The 12-person jury — nine women and three men — has now deliberated for roughly 10.5 hours across two days: about 3.5 hours Thursday, following closing arguments, and approximately 6.5 to 7 hours Friday. Judge William Sullivan dismissed jurors shortly before 4 p.m. Friday, acknowledging: "It's been a long day for everybody." Deliberations are set to resume Monday at 9 a.m.

What the Jury Asked to See

Jurors sent one note to the court Friday, roughly 40 minutes into the day's deliberations, asking to review specific physical evidence: two bags containing prescription pill bottles and a knife, according to defense attorney Kevin Reddington. Both items carry significant weight in the case — Clancy's pill bottles were found in her bedroom and in her husband's vehicle, and she used a kitchen knife to cut her wrists and neck before jumping from a second-floor window during her suicide attempt on the night of the killings.

Clancy's State Outside the Courtroom

Reddington described his client's emotional state to reporters outside the courthouse: "She's nervous. Sad. Scared. Same as she has been." Clancy's mother, father, and sister sat behind her in court throughout Friday's proceedings. Reddington also said he had no way to predict how long deliberations might take, noting the scale of the case: "There are something like 290 exhibits and five weeks of testimony."

The Charges and Verdict Options

Clancy, 36, a former labor and delivery nurse from Duxbury, Massachusetts, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in the January 24, 2023, strangulation deaths of her three children — Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months. The jury has five possible verdict options to consider, ranging from first-degree murder — which requires proof of "deliberate premeditation and extreme atrocity" — down through second-degree murder and lesser manslaughter charges.

The Core Dispute at Trial

Both the prosecution and defense agree Clancy was mentally ill at the time of the killings; the central dispute is whether she was criminally responsible for her actions. The defense, led by Reddington, has argued Clancy was experiencing postpartum psychosis and was overmedicated, compelled to act by a hallucinated voice when she strangled her children. Prosecutors have countered that she planned the killings and understood right from wrong at the time.

Public Reaction Outside the Courthouse

The high-profile case has drawn sustained public attention throughout its five-week run. Outside the courthouse Friday, Diane and Benjamin Russo of Wareham, who said they had followed the trial on television, drove in to show support for Clancy, with Diane Russo saying she hopes the jury finds Clancy not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility. Nearby, Renee Kimball, organizer of an earlier "Stand in Peace for Lindsay" demonstration, sat with a small group of supporters, though without the pink clothing that had become a visual symbol of support for Clancy at earlier gatherings.

What Happens if the Jury Can't Agree

Deliberations will continue until the jury reaches a unanimous verdict. If jurors report they are "hopelessly" deadlocked, Judge Sullivan has the authority to declare a mistrial, which would end the trial without a clear resolution and could potentially require the case to be retried before a new jury.

What's Next

With deliberations set to resume Monday morning, a legal expert cited by CBS Boston noted it could still be days before the jury reaches a decision, given the volume of evidence and testimony from the five-week trial. For continuing live coverage, see the CNN report.

This story involves difficult subject matter. For help with postpartum mood disorders, text or call 1-833-TLC-MAMA for the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat online.