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Woman accused of photographing Lindsay Clancy jurors charged with witness intimidation
Dawn Light, 56, of Sutton, Massachusetts, pleaded not guilty Wednesday after being arrested outside Plymouth Superior Court, where jurors have been deliberating whether Clancy is criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children.
Light was arrested Tuesday after Massachusetts State Police were alerted to a woman allegedly filming potential jurors as they left the courthouse.
Police Found Deleted Video
According to prosecutors, Light had parked in a restricted area of the courthouse and had a view of the entrance used by jurors, whose identities have been kept confidential.
When questioned by police, Light reportedly said she was waiting outside because she wanted to see Lindsay Clancy. She denied intentionally recording jurors.
However, prosecutors said troopers searched Light's cellphone and discovered a video of jurors in the phone's deleted-files folder.
Assistant District Attorney Nicole Piacentini argued in court that the alleged recording put the integrity of the judicial process at risk.
Light Says It Was a Misunderstanding
Light's attorney, Jennifer White, described the incident as a "complete misunderstanding."
White said Light was attempting to see and record Clancy, not interact with or intimidate jurors. Light also told reporters after her arraignment, "I just wanted to see Lindsay."
Light has described herself as a "crime junkie" and has attended several high-profile criminal trials, including the cases involving Alex Murdaugh and Karen Read. She is a retired registered nurse with no criminal record, according to her attorney.
Judge Orders Her Away From Trial
Prosecutors requested that Light be held on $50,000 cash bail and prohibited from returning to the courthouse or contacting jurors and witnesses connected to the Clancy case.
The judge ultimately released Light without requiring her to post cash bail, but imposed restrictions preventing her from returning to the courthouse, contacting jurors or witnesses, or sharing any photographs or videos of jurors.
The judge's actions came as the Clancy jury continued its deliberations. Jurors were questioned individually Wednesday to determine whether they had seen or heard anything about Light's arrest that could affect their ability to reach a fair decision.
Clancy Jury Remains Deadlocked
The incident comes at a critical point in Clancy's trial.
The jury has now spent five days deliberating the case and has twice indicated that it is struggling to reach a unanimous verdict. Judge William Sullivan instructed jurors to continue working toward a decision.
Clancy, 36, has admitted killing her three young children in 2023, but her defense argues she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and should be found not criminally responsible. Prosecutors contend she knew what she was doing and was criminally responsible for the killings.
For now, the jury remains deliberating while the separate case against Light moves forward.
Light has pleaded not guilty, and the intimidation allegation against her has not been proven in court.
Source: NBC News
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