Judge Declares Mistrial After Deadlocked Jury, Gives Defense One‑Hour Emergency Stay

In open court he read the jury foreperson’s note aloud: “It is with a heavy heart that we report we are unable to come to a unanimous decision and will not be able to.”

Citing the applicable statute and relevant case law, Judge Sullivan said he had no legal option other than to declare a mistrial.

He then gave the defense one hour to seek an emergency stay, but more than an hour has already elapsed; a lunch break was scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

If a mistrial is entered, prosecutors must decide whether to retry the case with a new jury, while the underlying issues remain the same – whether Clancy’s mental health at the time of the 2023 killings makes her criminally liable.

This sequence shows how the law guides a judge’s actions when jurors are split and why a short emergency stay can be offered to preserve the defense’s right to appeal.

In open court he read the jury foreperson’s note aloud: “It is with a heavy heart that we report we are unable to come to a unanimous decision and will not be able to.”

Citing the applicable statute and relevant case law, Judge Sullivan said he had no legal option other than to declare a mistrial.

He then gave the defense one hour to seek an emergency stay, but more than an hour has already elapsed; a lunch break was scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

This sequence shows how the law guides a judge’s actions when jurors are split and why a short emergency stay can be offered to preserve the defense’s right to appeal.