Holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy trial explains why he refused to change his vote
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Michael Desronvil said he believed the evidence showed Lindsay Clancy knew what she was doing and had planned the killings of her three children.
The lone holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial is speaking publicly about his decision to maintain his position as the jury remained deadlocked and the case ended in a mistrial.
Michael Desronvil said in a statement obtained by CBS News that he “didn’t have any doubts” about his belief that Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children.
“As I tried to explain different possible theories during deliberation, I kept getting cut off as if I had doubts based on the evidence present,” Desronvil said.
“Based on all the physical evidence, key witnesses, and what the prosecution presents, I thought it was enough proof that she knew exactly what she was doing and planned,” he added.
Clancy was charged with first-degree murder in the January 2023 deaths of her children, 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan, at the family’s home in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
Clancy admitted to killing her children but pleaded not guilty, with her defense arguing that she was not criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and had been overmedicated. Prosecutors argued that she planned the killings and understood right from wrong.
After more than seven days of deliberations, the 12-person jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. A mistrial was declared Sept. 4.
Other jurors have described a dramatically different deliberation process. Paula Devlin, who spoke with “CBS Mornings,” said the jury ultimately stood at 11-1, with Desronvil as the lone juror favoring a murder conviction. She said jurors spent several days trying to persuade him to reconsider his position.
“We all worked together to convince ourselves once we got to that point where it was 10 to 2,” Devlin said.
The revelation of Desronvil’s identity also comes amid controversy surrounding the juror. CBS News previously reported that he was accused of domestic violence in 2021, though the criminal charge was later dismissed. The court has not made the jury questionnaire public, leaving questions about whether the allegation was disclosed during jury selection.
A judge has extended an order concealing the names of jurors, citing concerns about their safety following intense public attention surrounding the case.
The next hearing in Clancy’s case is scheduled for Sept. 29. Prosecutors have not announced whether they will seek a retrial.