Michael Desronvil, the lone holdout juror in the high-profile Lindsay Clancy murder trial, says he “didn’t have any doubts” about what he believed was Clancy’s criminal responsibility. His statement, obtained by CBS News through his representative, Ray Marcel, describes his experience during the jury’s deliberations.
“I didn’t have any doubts,” Desronvil said in the statement. “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.”
The prosecutor said that physical evidence and key witnesses convinced him Clancy knew exactly what she was doing and planned the killings of her three young children. The jury could not reach a unanimous decision about whether Clancy was criminally responsible for killing 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan at their Massachusetts home in January 2023.
What the Jury Split Looked Like
On the seventh day of deliberations, the jury told the judge it was deadlocked three separate times, and Judge William Sullivan then declared a mistrial. That happened on Sept. 4.
Last week, Paula Devlin, who sat on the jury, spoke with “CBS Mornings”, saying the group spent several days attempting to persuade the juror holding out for an acquittal to change his mind. According to her account, those attempts did not succeed.
“We all worked together. And I don’t know if it was to convince him to start with,” Devlin told “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King. “We all worked together to convince ourselves once we got to that point where it was 10 to 2. I felt very bad for them because they felt attacked. And there is no way to not do that.”
According to several jurors and Clancy’s defense attorney, the jury split 11-1 in favor of a verdict of not criminally responsible for her, pointing to proof of her mental illness.
The Lawyer Defending the Holdout
Edward Andrew Paltzik, an attorney, posted on X to announce that he is now representing Desronvil. His message states that Desronvil is “safe and sound at an undisclosed secure location in a rural area of Northern New England.”
Paltzik also warned critics. “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,” he wrote.
Since the mistrial was declared, Desronvil has faced widespread criticism online, which has come to form the basis for the current threat against him.
The Domestic Violence Accusation
A report from CBS News states that Desronvil faced accusations of domestic violence in 2021. According to police in Brockton, Massachusetts, he was charged with seizing his wife by the neck and striking her against a dresser while arguing.
Court records show he entered a plea of not guilty to a count of domestic violence assault and battery, which was subsequently dismissed.
Caroline Polisi, a legal analyst, says the central issue is whether Desronvil revealed the allegation on his juror questionnaire. Since a mistrial has already been declared, it is uncertain if the matter will affect the case at all from here.
What Happens Next
The jury was unable to reach a decision about whether Clancy should face criminal consequences for killing her three children, even though she confessed to the murders herself. District Attorney Timothy Cruz has made no announcement regarding a possible retrial of Clancy.
Plymouth Superior Court will hold the next court hearing on Sept. 29.
The Numbers Behind the Case
- Trial outcome: Mistrial declared Sept. 4, after seven days of deliberations
- Jury split: 11-1 in favor of not criminally responsible
- Children killed: Cora (5), Dawson (3), Callan (8 months)
- Date of killings: January 2023, at the family home in Massachusetts
- Court: Plymouth Superior Court
- Next hearing: Sept. 29
Comparing the Two Jurors’ Accounts
| Detail | Desronvil (holdout) | Devlin (juror) |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Guilty, criminal responsibility | Not criminally responsible |
| Statement | Obtained through Marcel | Appeared on “CBS Mornings” |
| Criticism | Facing widespread online backlash | None described in report |
| Location | Rural Northern New England | Not specified |
One juror remained steady while the other spoke of a jury that felt under attack, even though both sat through the very same deliberation.
Desronvil’s statement does not change the result. The mistrial stands.
The account from the person who refused to cooperate provides additional detail about a matter that has already attracted notice. That individual never gave way, and he never questioned his own position.
Source material: “Holdout juror in Lindsay Clancy trial says he "didn't have any doubts",” CBS News.
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