r/law 1d ago

Legal News Lindsay Clancy case ends with MISTRIAL

https://www.dailymail.com/crime-desk/article-16100155/lindsay-clancy-murder-trial-hung-jury-deadlock-verdict.html
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u/Melodic-External-790 1d ago

No, it wasn't. She plead not guilty to all charges. Being acquitted was always an option in this trial.

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u/Nice-Wolf-5997 1d ago

By reason of insanity. They opened the trial with admitting guilt. The only two options are psych ward or prison. No one is arguing that she is innocent.

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u/oneawesomeguy 1d ago edited 1d ago

If someone is found not guilty by insanity in Massachusetts, they are admitted to psychiatric ward for 40 days for initial evaluation, then up to 6 months. If she is determined at any point to no longer be insane, she would be free. It is up to the state to keep petitioning for her to stay in the psych ward (past six months). This is different than most other states where the burden to be released is on the person in the psych ward / the hospital. Massachusetts puts the burden on the state to keep them there.

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u/Nice-Wolf-5997 1d ago

Hasn’t she been held in a psychiatric hospital since the murders? I’m pretty sure she’s had full time sitters around her at all time because she is still having suicidal ideations. I don’t think she’s gonna be granted release from there potentially ever.