Lindsay Clancy jury tensions rise as deliberations enter seventh day

Tensions are escalating in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial as a new note from the jury appears to indicate one juror is at odds with the other 11.

(NBC)- Tensions are escalating in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial as a new note from the jury appears to indicate one juror is at odds with the other 11.

Clancy’s defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, asked the judge to remove the juror, arguing that the jury foreperson had indicated the person was refusing to follow the court’s instructions regarding reasonable doubt.

The judge denied the request, calling the removal of a juror during deliberations a sensitive matter.

Instead, Massachusetts Superior Court Associate Justice William Sullivan re-read instructions explaining the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

“I don’t feel that it is proper for me to side with one side or the other of the deliberations,” Sullivan said. “I don’t feel it’s appropriate for me to say I agree with one juror or the 11.”

Prosecutors agreed with the judge’s decision.

NBC 10 Boston courtroom commentator Sue O’Connell said the defense’s push to remove the juror could indicate the panel is leaning 11-1 toward acquittal, although the jury’s actual vote has not been publicly confirmed.

The jury has already told the judge twice that it cannot reach an agreement on whether Clancy is criminally responsible for killing her three young children.

The panel of nine women and three men has been sent back to continue deliberating, which will enter a seventh day.

Reddington expressed frustration with the possibility of the case ending without a verdict, saying he does not want a mistrial.