Jury in Lindsay Clancy murder trial begins deliberations

  29m ago Jury excused for the day

Shortly after 4 p.m., Judge Sullivan called jurors back into the courtroom and excused them for the day. They had been deliberating since about 12:30 p.m.

Sullivan reminded jurors not to do any independent research and not to discuss the case with anyone.

Jurors will resume their deliberations Friday morning.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-8c869c20   3:24 PM Watch full closing arguments

Below, watch the full closing arguments in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial from defense attorney Kevin Reddington and prosecutor Jennifer Sprague.

Kevin Reddington's closing argument in Lindsay Clancy trial 52:16 Prosecutor makes closing argument in Lindsay Clancy murder trial 56:35 By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-a0623c78   2:51 PM Closing argument quarters

Those watching closing arguments today may have noticed defense attorney Kevin Reddington dropping quarters onto the prosecutors' table. The coins represented evidence that he says was harmless that prosecutors manipulated to make Lindsay Clancy seem guilty.

"She wasn't drinking while she had her kids, she wasn't drinking while she's breastfeeding. She would have a couple of beers with her friends," Reddington said. "That's bad, put that over in the bad pile."

Lindsay Clancy's lawyer Kevin Reddington put quarters on the prosecutors' table during closing arguments. CBS Boston

Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague fought back in her closings, picking up the quarters as she disputed the defense's claims.

"So I'll take this one," Sprague said, picking up a quarter after making a point about the exercise bands used to strangle the children.

By Kristina Rex https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-eb9e7a6d   Updated 2:30 PM Lindsay Clancy trial by the numbers

Lindsay Clancy's trial by the numbers:

21 days of testimony

85 total witnesses called

72 prosecution witnesses

10 defense witnesses

3 prosecution rebuttal witnesses

52 minutes of closing arguments from defense

56 minutes of closing arguments from the prosecution

18 total jurors

12 deliberating jurors

6 alternate jurors

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-a1c98b0c   2:08 PM Lindsay Clancy verdict slip

Jurors have five options to consider for Lindsay Clancy as they weigh their verdict: guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter, not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity.

First-degree murder, the most serious charge, involves "extreme atrocity or cruelty." 

If she's found not guilty by reason of insanity, that means jurors decided that Clancy was suffering from mental illness and the prosecution did not prove that Clancy knew right from wrong at the time of the killings.

A look at possible outcomes of the Lindsay Clancy verdict. CBS Boston Graphic By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-af8f64ec   Updated 1:21 PM Lindsay Clancy jury narrowed to 9 women, 3 men and begins deliberations

Lindsay Clancy's fate will be decided by a jury of nine women and three men. They were sent to deliberate at 12:34 p.m.

There were 18 jurors for the duration of the testimony, but only 12 will take part in deliberations. 

The court clerk picked six alternates at random by pulling their numbers out of a box. They will be ready to step in, just in case something happens with one of the deliberating jurors. 

Judge Sullivan picked an older woman in jury seat 18 as foreperson.

"I don't think I've ever seen a more dedicated group of jurors in any trial I've ever been involved in," the judge said.

The jury box in Plymouth Superior Court on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-52d3638a   1:26 PM Highlights from closing arguments

WBZ-TV's Anna Meiler highlights what the defense and prosecution focused on in their closing arguments at the Lindsay Clancy trial.

Closing arguments delivered in Lindsay Clancy murder trial 03:08 By Anna Meiler https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-5cb36baf   1:21 PM Lindsay Clancy trial key moments

The jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial started their deliberations Thursday afternoon.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the last 22 days in court: 

By Kerry Breen https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-6aa35e20   12:14 PM Judge gives final instructions to jury

After closing arguments finished, Judge Sullivan reminded jurors that the burden of proof is on the prosecution. He also noted that Lindsay Clancy did not take the stand, and said jurors cannot hold that against her.

"The fact that the defendant did not testify has nothing to do with the question of whether she's guilty or not guilty," he said. "You are not to consider it in any way or even discuss it during your deliberations."

The judge said jurors must also not be influenced by the graphic nature of photos submitted as evidence. 

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-ca5943cd   11:53 AM Lindsay Clancy cries as prosecutor describes killings

Lindsay Clancy started crying again as prosecutor Sprague described how Clancy allegedly killed her three young children. 

She said Clancy showed rationality by killing the older children first before the infant. She said strangling them showed extreme atrocity and cruelty.

"I'm sorry how many seconds is it OK for them to have been in pain?" Sprague said. "How about it wasn't OK for one second for any of them?"

Sprague concluded after 56 minutes by telling the jury that they know "beyond a moral certainty" that she's guilty.

"She left them discarded on the basement floor like broken toys because she was done playing the game," Sprague said.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-b98bae57   11:45 AM Prosecutor says Lindsay Clancy "made a choice"

Prosecutor Sprague said Clancy "didn't want to try anymore," before making the decision to kill her children.

"I'm not saying she was happy about it. I'm saying it's what she had to do to end her misery," Sprague said. "Mothers kill their children and it's horrible and it's awful, but it happens."

Defense attorney Reddington objected when Sprague brought up the Andrea Yates case and said Yates had heard voices telling her to kill her children for months, while Clancy acted after hearing a voice once. Judge Sullivan told Sprague to move on.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-b3ecf1d7   11:27 AM Lindsay Clancy was "planning" murders, prosecutor says

Prosecutor Sprague turned to the day of the murders on Jan. 24, 2023. She said Lindsay Clancy started "planning" at 4 p.m., looking up how long it would take for Patrick to get to a restaurant to pick up takeout food.

"She knew that she would have a limited amount of time to do what she wanted to do," Sprague said.

She said Clancy also called CVS to make sure medicine for Cora was in stock so Patrick's errands weren't interrupted.

Sprague said Clancy killed the children immediately after Patrick left, but the defense says it happened after Patrick called her from CVS. Sprague said there's a reason Clancy wants people to think the murders happened after the phone call.

"If she's already killed the kids because of a voice and being compelled and it being against her will and she's like a puppet, then she can't get a call and miss it and then call the person back and then have a conversation and then hang up," Sprague said. "A puppet can't do those things." 

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-125ef97b   11:02 AM Prosecution says doctors aren't to blame

Prosecutor Sprague said it wasn't the fault of medical providers that Clancy was struggling. 

She said Clancy wasn't truthful with her family or with doctors and didn't take her medication as prescribed, even though she should've known better as a nurse. 

"The defense wants you to believe this is a woman begging for help," Sprague said. "But she wanted to get better on her own terms, doing things her own ways."

Sprague said Lindsay Clancy had thoughts in December of harming her kids and told Patrick and her mother, but not medical providers even though they asked. 

"Why? Because the police might take away her kids," Sprague said. "That's a rational thought."

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-4ac5d455   10:57 AM Prosecution begins closing argument

Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague began her closing argument by saying there's no dispute that Clancy was suffering from mental illness and then tried to kill herself. 

"The issue is whether at the time she killed Cora, Dawson and Callan she knew the difference between right and wrong," Sprague said.

Sprague said she had more access to treatment and care than a lot of mothers do, pointing to her extended maternity leave and family help.

"This wasn't a woman suffering from a lack of care, a lack of resources," Sprague said. "She had an abundance of care."

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-db794e52   10:52 AM "She was reaching out for help"

Reddington told jurors that they heard from multiple doctors that Clancy was suffering from a disease and defect at the time of the murders, meaning she was not criminally responsible for her children's deaths.

He detailed how she reached out to doctors and the suicide hotline as her mental health deteriorated.

"My God, what does she have to do? She was reaching out for help and she was not getting it," Reddington said.

He finished by reminding jurors that the burden is on the prosecutors to prove their case.

"This young lady is not guilty of the killing of her children because she was suffering from a disease or defect as your honor instructed you," he said.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-2bcd731a   10:34 AM Lindsay Clancy "owned what she did," lawyer says

Reddington continued to bring up Clancy's medical treatment in his closing argument, specifically her first psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Tufts. 

"This woman lived for her kids until she had the pleasure of running into Dr. Tufts with two months of experience," Reddington said. "After Dr. Tufts, it was not a wonderful life anymore."

He also went after the prosecution's rebuttal witnesses for not interviewing Clancy until three years after the murders. He said she was friendly and answered all their questions.

"She owned what she did. She never ran from anything," Reddington said.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-9970b57e   10:17 AM Judge interjects during Reddington's closing

Jurors looked very serious, their eyes locked in on Reddington as he talked about the injuries Clancy suffered from her suicide attempt after the murders.

"Why did we spend almost a week showing you the extent and severity of that suicide attempt?" Reddington said. "The reason we had to do that is because they were arguing that it was a fake suicide. Dinky little cuts."

Reddington was briefly interrupted by Judge Sullivan as he turned to prosecutor Jennifer Sprague and said he challenged her to tell the jury why this "wasn't a serious suicide attempt."

"Counsel, address the jury," Sullivan said.

By Kristina Rex https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-2e101d34   10:09 AM Kevin Reddington begins closing argument

Defense attorney Reddington began his closing argument by thanking jurors for their service. He said the prosecution has "ripped the soul out of this girl," referring to Clancy.

He showed pictures of the Clancy's looking like a happy family and asked how the children ended up dead.

"Because of damn medicine and the lousy medical care that she got," Reddington said.

He said the prosecution has suggested that Clancy killed Dawson first because she didn't like him.

"That is repulsive," he said.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-6c295bc9   10:02 AM Lindsay Clancy cries during jury instructions

Lindsay Clancy started to cry as the judge explained to jurors how she is charged with causing the deaths of her three children. 

She used a tissue to wipe her tears and took deep breaths while the judge detailed what's necessary to prove a first-degree murder conviction.

Lindsay Clancy listens to the judge's instructions for jurors. CBS Boston By Kristina Rex https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-c2c23055   9:47 AM Is Lindsay Clancy criminally responsible?

Judge Sullivan explained to the jury that a defendant cannot be held criminally responsible if they have a mental disease or defect and because of that, they cannot appreciate the wrongfulness of their conduct or conform it to the requirements of the law.

In Massachusetts, the prosecution has the burden to prove a lack of mental disease in the defendant. 

"The commonwealth must prove that the defendant knew and understood that her conduct was illegal or wrong," Sullivan said. 

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-65c507ff   9:38 AM Judge reading instructions to jury

Judge William Sullivan explained to the jury how this final phase of the trial will unfold. 

He will give the jurors the first half of his jury instructions, detailing the specific charges against Clancy.

Then closing arguments will happen, with each side getting an hour to make their case.

After, Sullivan will give general jury instructions before sending them to deliberate.

By Neal Riley https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-760ac4a6   Updated 9:30 AM Lindsay Clancy trial day 22

Lindsay Clancy was brought into the courtroom in her wheelchair at 9:24 a.m. She's wearing a powder blue blouse. She's not wearing glasses today. 

Lindsay Clancy in Plymouth Superior Court on Aug. 27, 2026. CBS Boston

Everyone but the judge and jury were in place at 9:25 a.m. The courtroom is full. There are six rows of media, four rows of the general public, 1.5 rows for the district attorney's staff and police and two rows on the other side of the room for some court staff, Clancy's family and friends of Kevin Reddington.

The court is absolutely silent. Court officers have asked people in the gallery to keep movement to a minimum during closings.

Prosecutors Jennifer Sprague and Shanan Buckingham walked into court at 9:09 a.m. for the 22nd day of Clancy's trial. They have 11 additional people with them including victim witness advocates and some police officers.

Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington then went into the hallway and pulled a few members of the general public into court with him. 

I saw him speaking with the same women in the parking lot Wednesday, telling them he would get them into the courtroom.

Registered media were welcomed into the courtroom at 9:16 a.m.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz entered the courtroom at 9:19 a.m. He was here at the beginning of trial as well, but otherwise has not been in the courtroom, except one other appearance in the middle of trial.

By Kristina Rex https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-9b874140   Updated 9:10 AM Lindsay Clancy trial live stream

You can watch closing arguments in Lindsay Clancy's murder trial when court is in session, just after 9 a.m. 

They will be streamed live from Plymouth Superior Court on CBS News Boston and on YouTube.

By Mike Toole https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/live-updates/lindsay-clancy-trial-live-updates-closing-arguments/#post-update-ba5dfa30   9:04 AM Lindsay Clancy's parents in court

Lindsay Clancy's parents, Michael and Paula Musgrove, entered the courtroom just before 9 a.m.

Before they went in, they spoke with Bob Jones, the private investigator for Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington.

There are more than 50 media members and 60+ members of the general public in line waiting to get into the courtroom. All of these people will likely not fit inside.

Lindsay Clancy's parents Michael and Paula Musgrove exit the courthouse in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on August 26, 2026. JOSEPH PREZIOSO /AFP via Getty Images By