Days after Lindsay Clancy's murder trial ended in a hung jury, the Massachusetts woman's attorney and former husband are both speaking out about the widespread attention on the case.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington asked President Donald Trump to pardon his client in a Sept. 8 interview on "Good Morning America" days after the president spoke about the trial.
Separately, Clancy's ex-husband Patrick Clancy's attorney released a statement on Sept. 8 condemning what they called "a relentless, escalating and destructive defamation campaign" against him.
Both came after a Massachusetts judge on Sept. 4 declared a mistrial in the case against Lindsay Clancy, who was facing murder charges in her children's 2023 strangulation deaths.
During a weekslong
trial, prosecutors alleged that the 36-year-old deliberately murdered 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan, while her defense argued that she is not guilty because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time.
After the mistrial, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said he would decide in the near future whether to retry Lindsay Clancy.
Kevin Reddington asks Trump to pardon Lindsay Clancy
In a Sept. 8 interview with George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America," Reddington called on Trump to consider a pardon for his client.
"Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady, the type of person she is, what she's been through, and consider a pardon," he said.
Trump spoke about the case during a Sept. 4 event in the Oval Office, calling it a "terrible situation."
"Look, she did a horrible, horrible thing. Can't be worse. But you'll find out what the price to pay is, there'll be a price. It's going to be mental institution or jail or something," he said of Lindsay Clancy.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the president has the "power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."
However, the president only has the power issue clemency for federal offenses, not state criminal charges like those Clancy is facing.
Reddington also spoke on the possibility of a retrial or plea deal, saying he's "willing to listen" to Cruz.
"I hope, however, after sitting through this trial and seeing the evidence that was presented from the government as well as from the defense, that he would revisit that issue and hopefully would be able to work something out that would be acceptable to both sides," he said.
Patrick Clancy's attorney says 'there will be consequences' for conspiracy theories
Howard Cooper, an attorney for Patrick Clancy, said in a Sept. 8 statement that "law enforcement has been notified" about what he called a "defamation campaign" against his client.
"This spread of blatant and baseless falsehoods must stop. Those responsible should understand that there will be consequences, and every appropriate measure will be pursued to hold them accountable, including legally," the statement said.
Cooper alleged that "minor celebrities, so-called influencers and outright conspiracy theorists" have spread falsehoods, including unsupported claims that Patrick Clancy was involved in his children's deaths.
"Patrick has no choice but to address this situation – with the clear goal of stopping injurious behavior, creating accountability for lies that are self-serving to the perpetrators, and being able to return his attention to what matters: preserving the memory of Cora, Dawson and Callan Clancy and supporting other women facing perinatal mental health challenges," the statement added.
Immediately after the mistrial, David Meier, another attorney for Patrick Clancy, released a statement from his client thanking jurors for their commitment.
"The prospect of reliving this tragedy through another trial is extraordinarily painful – for Patrick, for his family, and for all of us," it said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lindsay Clancy's attorney asks Trump for pardon after mistrial
