Lindsay Clancy Mistrial? A Judge Breaks Down What Happens If There is a Hung Jury
As the Lindsay Clancy jury continues deliberating without a verdict in the trial, one question looms over the courthouse: what happens if they simply can't agree?
On day five of deliberations, Judge William F. Sullivan addressed a jury intimidation incident from Tuesday after court adjourned that led to the arrest of 56-year-old Dawn Light. He questioned all 12 jurors and 6 alternates one-by-one to determine if a mistrial was required and reminded the courtroom of courthouse rules. Later, the jury told the judge for a second time they could not reach a unanimous decision, prompting Sullivan to issue the Tuey-Rodriguez charge. If the jury still cannot agree and a deadlock continues, a mistrial will be declared.
In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by former judge Ashley Willcott, who walks through what a deadlocked jury actually means — and what comes next if the judge is forced to declare a mistrial. Willcott explains the legal mechanism some states call the "Tuey-Rodriguez charge," how a judge can instruct a stuck jury to continue deliberating, and why, in Massachusetts, that instruction can only be given twice before a mistrial becomes the only option.
Willcott also breaks down the five possible verdicts jurors are weighing, why she believes the case is likely splitting the jury in a deeply polarized way, and what a hung jury could mean for whether prosecutors decide to retry the case — or consider a plea deal instead.
She and Anne discuss the emotional toll of a case involving the murder of three children, the choice not to sequester this jury, and the growing presence of supporters wearing pink outside the courthouse — possibly including some of the jurors.
Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for continuing Lindsay Clancy trial coverage, true crime investigations, courtroom analysis, and exclusive interviews that go beyond the headlines.
On day five of deliberations, Judge William F. Sullivan addressed a jury intimidation incident from Tuesday after court adjourned that led to the arrest of 56-year-old Dawn Light. He questioned all 12 jurors and 6 alternates one-by-one to determine if a mistrial was required and reminded the courtroom of courthouse rules. Later, the jury told the judge for a second time they could not reach a unanimous decision, prompting Sullivan to issue the Tuey-Rodriguez charge. If the jury still cannot agree and a deadlock continues, a mistrial will be declared.
In this episode of Criminally Obsessed, investigative reporter Anne Emerson is joined by former judge Ashley Willcott, who walks through what a deadlocked jury actually means — and what comes next if the judge is forced to declare a mistrial. Willcott explains the legal mechanism some states call the "Tuey-Rodriguez charge," how a judge can instruct a stuck jury to continue deliberating, and why, in Massachusetts, that instruction can only be given twice before a mistrial becomes the only option.
Willcott also breaks down the five possible verdicts jurors are weighing, why she believes the case is likely splitting the jury in a deeply polarized way, and what a hung jury could mean for whether prosecutors decide to retry the case — or consider a plea deal instead.
She and Anne discuss the emotional toll of a case involving the murder of three children, the choice not to sequester this jury, and the growing presence of supporters wearing pink outside the courthouse — possibly including some of the jurors.
Subscribe to Criminally Obsessed for continuing Lindsay Clancy trial coverage, true crime investigations, courtroom analysis, and exclusive interviews that go beyond the headlines.