In an interview Tuesday on Good Morning America, Lindsay Clancy’s lawyer Kevin Reddington suggested President Donald Trump grant the Connecticut native a pardon.
Trump is unable to pardon Clancy directly because the former labor and delivery nurse is being tried for murder in state court, which Reddington acknowledged in another interview later on Tuesday.
But the defense attorney suggested the president could use his “clout” with Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.
Clancy was charged with first-degree murder in the killings of her three children in 2023. Her widely-publicized trial ended last week with a hung jury, meaning Clancy could be re-tried in the future.
In response to a reporter’s question after the mistrial on Friday, Trump called the Clancy children killings a “horrible tragedy.”
Reddington brought up the idea of a pardon at the end of his interview on Good Morning America when George Stephanopoulos asked what was next for Clancy.
“I’d like to say that perhaps Donald Trump who felt compelled to speak out about this case may very well, Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady, the type of person she is, what she’s been through, and consider a pardon,” Reddington responded.
During another interview with WBZ-TV’s Kristina Rex, Reddington acknowledged the limits of a presidential pardon.
“The goal is pretty simple, it’s to seek help from Trump,” he said.
“Even though legally it’s not a federal case, he certainly has an awful lot of clout,” Reddington added. He suggested that if the president contacted Cruz, whom he noted is also a Republican, “maybe that will be something that Tim would listen to and consider.”
Reddington also indicated that Clancy would be open to a plea deal. He has also suggested he may appeal the case on double-jeopardy grounds.
Trump was one of several celebrities who weighed in on the high-profile case and trial, including the rapper Cardi B and right wing political commentator Candace Owens.
“It’s a terrible situation. She did a horrible, horrible thing,” Trump said Friday. “Can’t be worse, but you’ll find out what the price to pay is. There’ll be a price. It’s going to be a mental institution or jail or something, but I guess they’re going to go through another trial. It’s too bad.”
As president, Trump has wielded the power of the presidential pardon in unconventional ways. On the first day of his second term, he pardoned or commuted the sentences of those convicted in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. He has also issued pardons for celebrities, or cases that have received their attention.
Last year, Trump pardoned Julie and Todd Chrisley, reality TV stars who were convicted of federal bank fraud and tax evasion and were serving prison sentences, the Associated Press reported.
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This article originally published at Why Lindsay Clancy’s lawyer asked Trump for a pardon he can’t grant.
