US President Donald Trump has declined to intervene in the case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her three children.
Clancy, 36, is facing three first-degree murder charges over the deaths of Cora, five, Dawson, three, and eight-month-old Callan in January 2023.
Trump addressed the case on Sunday after being asked if he would consider granting Clancy a pardon.
However, the president said the matter falls under state jurisdiction rather than federal authority.
“It’s a very sad situation,” Trump said, noting that the deaths left no positive outcome regardless of the eventual verdict.
Clancy’s lawyer, Kevin Reddington, had recently appealed to Trump to intervene. He acknowledged that the president does not have the constitutional power to pardon someone convicted of a state crime.
Trump nevertheless praised Reddington’s legal ability and expressed hope that the case would eventually be resolved through the Massachusetts justice system.
“He’s a good attorney,” Trump said, adding that he had heard positive comments about Reddington from others.
The defence has maintained that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis when her children died. The severe condition can affect a person’s perception of reality following childbirth.
After the incident, Clancy also attempted to take her own life. She survived but sustained injuries that resulted in paralysis.
Meanwhile, her first trial ended in a mistrial earlier this month after jurors could not agree on a unanimous verdict following seven days of deliberations.
Reports indicated that the jury was divided 11-1, with 11 jurors reportedly supporting an acquittal on the grounds that Clancy was not criminally responsible for the killings.
The case will therefore remain within the Massachusetts legal system, with Trump making clear that he does not intend to use presidential pardon powers to intervene.