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Why Lindsay Clancy’s Lawyer Asked Donald Trump For A Pardon He Can’t Give
Lindsay Clancy‘s murder case took an unexpected turn after her recent mistrial, leaving her future uncertain as prosecutors consider what comes next. Her attorney, Kevin Reddington, has turned to an unlikely figure for help: President Donald Trump. While the request may seem unusual given constitutional limits, Reddington believes the president could still influence his client’s case.
Lindsay Clancy’s murder case remains unresolved after a judge declared a mistrial on September 4. As the prosecution decides whether to retry the case, Clancy’s lead defense attorney, Kevin Reddington, is exploring all the options for his client.
On September 8, Reddington sat down for an interview on “Good Morning America” and called for President Donald Trump to consider pardoning Clancy.
“Mr. President, I would hope that you would consider this young lady. The type of person she is, what she has been through, and consider a pardon,” he said.
Clancy is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for strangling her three children, 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan, in 2023. The defense claims the former nurse was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and was not in her right mind when the murders occurred.
Donald Trump Cannot Pardon Lindsay Clancy
3Like many, Trump said he “pretty much” followed Clancy’s trial, describing it as a “horrible tragedy.” He added that Clancy will have a “price to pay,” whether that be prison time or a mental institution. “I guess they’re going to go through another trial. It’s too bad,” Trump said, per The Blast.
U.S. presidents can grant a pardon to those facing federal crimes against the United States. A pardon does not equate to innocence. Rather, the president forgives the person for the crime and frees them from punishments related to the conviction.
By law, Trump cannot pardon Clancy because she isn’t charged with a federal crime, and the president’s pardon power does not extend to state-level crimes.
Kevin Reddington Explains His Plea To The President
Reddington’s plea to President Trump caused a wave of reactions, prompting him to explain his strategy. He is aware Trump is not legally allowed to pardon Clancy, but he knows his influence.
“If President Trump feels that this is a case that warrants the type of intervention from, you know, the executive branch, even though legally it’s not a federal case, he certainly has an awful lot of clout,” Reddington explained in an interview with WBZ’s Kristina Rex.
He pointed out that Trump could “hypothetically” discuss Clancy’s case with Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz, the head prosecutor overseeing the case. “They’re both Republicans… maybe that will be something that Tim would listen to and consider,” Reddington said, adding that any type of assistance would be helpful to his client.
Donald Trump Issued A Symbolic Pardon For A State Conviction
Tina Peters, a former county clerk in Mesa County, Colorado, was convicted of seven criminal charges in connection with the security breach of election equipment in 2021. She was sentenced to 9 years in prison.
In December 2025, Trump signed a formal pardon for Peters, even though her conviction was for state crimes rather than federal offenses. It was more of a “symbolic” act and had no legal bearing, per Colorado News Online.
However, Trump’s campaign to free Peters pressured Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Peters was not pardoned for her crimes, but her sentence was reduced by half, granting her immediate eligibility for parole. She was released from prison in June after serving less than one-fourth of her original sentence.
Lindsay Clancy’s Future Remains Unclear
3Reddington said he plans to file a motion to dismiss Clancy’s case, as he believes his client does not deserve to spend time in jail.
However, he also acknowledged that what happens next depends on the prosecution. He is open to discussing a plea agreement that will appease both sides.
Some jury members have since spoken out after the mistrial, revealing that they were split 11-1, with the majority in favor of not guilty by reason of insanity.
The prosecution has not said whether it wants a retrial. Clancy will next appear in court on September 29 for a status conference, where the legal teams and the judge will discuss next steps in the case.
