The twelve jurors in the much-publicised Clancy trial could not agree. After three attempts and more than 30 hours of deliberation, they submitted a written statement to the judge.
"With a heavy heart we must announce that we are unable to reach a unanimous decision and that we will not get there," they wrote.
Judge William Sullivan has therefore declared the trial invalid because Massachusetts does not allow verdicts based on a majority. The jury there must be completely unanimous. A judge also cannot force a jury to keep trying to reach a decision after three attempts.
Clancy's defence attorney, Kevin Reddington, called the entire process "a travesty" and appealed the decision, arguing that the juror who reportedly voted against the other eleven was not following Sullivan's instructions to convict only if guilt can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
However, the appeal was dismissed and the annulment has thus been confirmed.
Postpartum psychosis
Lindsay Clancy killed her three young children in January 2023, when they were only eight months, two years and five years old, respectively.
The defence has argued that Clancy cannot be held responsible for the murders because she suffered from postpartum psychosis.
Prosecutors say Clancy planned to kill her children and that if convicted of murder, she faces life in prison. If acquitted, she will be committed to a psychiatric hospital, with possible release if she is deemed not to pose a threat to society.
Unclear continuation
36-year-old Lindsay Clancy, a former maternity nurse, is now paralysed from the waist down after jumping out of a second-storey window after killing her children.
The case has attracted widespread attention far beyond Massachusetts and has put women's mental health in the spotlight in connection with childbirth.
And after five weeks of trial and more than six days of jury deliberations, it's probably not over yet.
Prosecutors could choose to try to get Clancy convicted in a new trial with a new jury, which is considered most likely. But they could also try to reach an agreement with the defence - or drop the case.
A few people who feel unwell after childbirth may suffer from psychosis.
Postpartum psychosis is an uncommon but serious form of psychosis, which can lead the sufferer to harm themselves or their child.
Symptoms may include delusions, hearing voices or sounds that no one else hears, and thought disorders.
Before such a psychosis, it is common to have difficulty sleeping, feel depressed, or be very agitated.
The risk of developing psychosis is greater for a person who has previously had postpartum psychosis or has bipolar disorder.
Anyone who has symptoms of postpartum psychosis - or if someone close to them has it - should immediately seek care at a psychiatric emergency department, a regular emergency department or call 112.
Source: 1177
