Lindsay Clancy holdout juror speaks out for the first time

The lone holdout juror in the highly publicized Lindsay Clancy trial is speaking publicly for the first time about why he refused to join the other 11 jurors in voting to find her not guilty by reason of insanity.

The trial ended in a mistrial after the 12-person jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The holdout juror, identified as Michael P. Desronvil, released a statement explaining why he remained convinced that Clancy should have been found guilty.

What they're saying:

FOX Local contacted Desronvil’s attorney, Edward Paltzik, who provided a statement from his client.

Desronvil’s account differs from those of several other jurors who spoke publicly in the days after the mistrial. They said Desronvil appeared to acknowledge having reasonable doubt during deliberations but still refused to join the other 11 jurors in finding Clancy not guilty by reason of insanity.

RELATED: Members of the Lindsay Clancy jury open up on the holdout juror

Paltzik defended his client in a statement posted on social media, calling Desronvil "courageous and heroic."

"Rest assured that the evil people who have so viciously attacked this American Hero and Champion of Justice will be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law and beyond," Paltzik said. "In the meantime, though, he has persevered and remains utterly unbroken thanks to his devout Catholic Faith."

What we don't know:

Paltzik said Desronvil is currently staying at an undisclosed location in rural New England and that additional information will be released in the coming days.

Lindsay Clancy case ends in mistrial

The backstory:

At trial, Clancy's lawyers argued she ​was not guilty by ​reason of insanity, ⁠saying she was experiencing a psychotic episode caused by postpartum psychosis. Meanwhile, prosecutors argued the killings were premeditated. 

RELATED: Lindsay Clancy murder trial ends in mistrial after jury deadlocked

Following legal procedures that took several hours, the judge in the murder trial declared a mistrial after the jury told the judge they were deadlocked on whether Clancy was criminally responsible for killing her three children.  

The jury of nine women and three men, went through seven days of deliberations, including a moment in the sixth day when the jury’s foreperson told the judge a single juror wouldn’t follow the court’s instructions about reasonable doubt. The extraordinary disclosure, made in the form of a note delivered to the judge, offered the clearest glimpse yet of what kept jurors from reaching a verdict.

What's next:

Clancy will continue to be held at the Tewksbury State Hospital. The case essentially goes back to the same status as before the trial, with Clancy charged with murder and being held at the psychiatric hospital and waiting for a resolution of the criminal case against her.

Judge William Sullivan scheduled a status hearing for Sept. 29 and prosecutors indicated in court Friday that they would ideally like to retry the case later this fall, although no definitive timetable has been set.

Prosecutors will have to decide whether to try her again with a new jury. If they proceed with a new trial, the jury selection process will begin again, and a new trial will be scheduled.

 

Crime and Public SafetyMassachusetts