The holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy's triple murder trial said he "didn't have any doubts" about the Massachusetts mother's guilt, disputing accounts from other members of the jury, according to statement released on Sept. 18 by an attorney who says he represents the juror.
Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in the closely watched case on Sept. 4 after jurors repeatedly reported being unable to unanimously agree on whether Clancy, 36, should be held criminally responsible for killing her three young children in January 2023. Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, did not deny that she strangled her children to death in the basement of her Duxbury, Massachusetts, home, but argued she should not be held criminally responsible because she was
suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings.
In the wake of the mistrial, other members of the jury have said publicly that one man refused to agree to a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict despite having doubts. The holdout juror, Michael Péguy Desronvil, contradicted those accounts in a statement shared on social media by attorney Edward Paltzik, who said he is representing Desronvil.
"As I tried to explain different possible theories during deliberation, I kept getting cut off as if I had doubts based on the evidence presented," Desronvil's statement said. "Based on all the physical evidence, key witnesses, and what the prosecution presented, I thought it was enough proof that she (Clancy) knew exactly what she was doing and planned."
In the wake of the mistrial, intense speculation has swirled about the holdout's identity. Paltzik described Desronvil as a "devout Catholic," "devoted father," and a supporter of President Donald Trump in a series of social media posts. Desronvil is staying in an "undisclosed secure location in a rural area of Northern New England" after facing criticism from his fellow jurors and online scrutiny, according to Paltzik.
"Please respect his dignity, humanity, and privacy," Paltzik said. "Stay away from his home, stop calling him, and don't even think about deciphering his location."
USA TODAY has reached out to Paltzik for comment.
Attorney slams critics
The dispute between the jurors came to light during deliberations when the foreperson sent a note to the judge saying one juror had "refused to listen" to the court's instructions on reasonable doubt. Tensions rose in the courtroom as Reddington unsuccessfully pushed to get the lone holdout removed from the jury, and Sullivan repeatedly sent them back to deliberate.
After more than 38 hours of deliberations, the jury remained at an impasse, and Sullivan declared a mistrial. In the wake of the mistrial, jurors including the foreperson have expressed frustration with the holdout.
Nick Dargie, 25, told ABC News the holdout juror expressed uncertainty about whether the prosecution or the defense proved their case, but ultimately refused to change or explain his vote.
"There was several times I would ask him to show us evidence or, you know, describe a witness testimony that helped to prove what he was saying, and … he couldn't," Dargie told the outlet.
Roni Carlson, a former elementary school teacher who served as the jury foreperson, told NBC10 Boston that the holdout "admitted he had reasonable doubt" but still refused to vote not guilty by reason of insanity. "He was very arrogant," Paula Devlin, another juror who works for a defense contractor, told the outlet.
Paltzik said on Sept. 17 that Desronvil will not yet speak to the media, but there will be "a time for the real story" of the trial to be shared. The attorney slammed those who have criticized the holdout.
"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.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lindsay Clancy holdout juror had no doubts, lawyer says
