US President Donald Trump has said he will not intervene in the case of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts woman accused of killing her three young children.
Trump made his position clear on Sunday when he was asked if he would grant her a presidential pardon.
Clancy, 36, is facing three counts of first-degree murder. The charges relate to the deaths of her children in January 2023 - five-year-old Cora, three-year-old Dawson, and eight-month-old Callan.
The case has drawn national attention in the US for more than two years.
Trump says it is a state case
Speaking to reporters, Trump described the matter as a very sad situation. He said there is no winner, no matter what decision is taken, because three children are dead.
He explained that the case is not a federal matter. According to him, it falls under state jurisdiction and should be handled at that level.
Trump was responding to a public appeal made by Clancy’s lawyer, Kevin Reddington. Last week, Reddington had asked the President to pardon his client.
The lawyer himself acknowledged that a US President does not have the power to pardon someone convicted of a state offence. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes.
Trump said he has heard that Reddington is a very good attorney. He added that he hopes the parties involved can work it out, but insisted there is no win in the situation.
Defence points to postpartum psychosis
Clancy’s defence team has argued that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the incident.
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental health condition that can occur after childbirth. It can cause a mother to lose touch with reality and experience delusions and confusion.
The defence said this condition left her not criminally responsible for her actions.
After the deaths of her children, Clancy attempted to take her own life. She survived but sustained serious injuries that left her paralysed.
She has been receiving medical care since then while facing prosecution.
First trial ends in mistrial
Clancy’s first trial ended in a mistrial earlier this month.
The jury could not reach a unanimous verdict after a full week of deliberations. Reports from the courtroom said the jury was split 11-1.
Eleven jurors were said to have favoured an acquittal on the grounds that she was not criminally responsible due to her mental condition at the time.
The prosecution is expected to decide on next steps, which could include a retrial.
For now, President Trump says the White House will not be stepping in.
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