Lindsay Clancy’s defense attorney suffered a setback Wednesday after a judge rejected his request to investigate the lone juror who refused to find her not guilty by reason of insanity in the deaths of her three children.

Clancy killed her children in January 2023 before attempting suicide, an attempt that left her paralyzed. Her murder trial last month ended in a mistrial after 11 jurors supported a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, while juror Michael Desronvil disagreed.

Following the mistrial, Desronvil faced public criticism and scrutiny from media outlets. Clancy’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, subsequently asked the court to investigate whether the juror had provided false information on his jury questionnaire about prior involvement with the criminal justice system. The defense also raised questions about his cellphone use during deliberations.

Judge William Sullivan rejected the request, explaining that information emerging after the mistrial could not be used to challenge the original decision to declare one. Sullivan noted that the defense had not raised concerns about the juror’s questionnaire or possible exposure to outside information before the mistrial was declared.

The judge also rejected the argument that the juror’s cellphone use could justify further inquiry. He emphasized that courts must not investigate jurors’ private reasoning, thought processes, or disagreements during deliberations.

“The Court concludes that any further judicial inquiry is inappropriate,” Sullivan wrote, stressing that the court must not delve into the jury’s collective deliberations or individual views of the case.

Desronvil has maintained that he followed the judge’s instructions and did not improperly use his cellphone but simply reached a different conclusion from the other 11 jurors.

Clancy’s defense is scheduled to argue a motion to dismiss the charges on Nov. 2. Prosecutors have not announced whether they will pursue a new trial or negotiate an agreement with the defense that could involve reduced charges.